- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Major
- Unit:
- Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 11, 14. Infanterie-Division, Heer
- Awarded on:
- October 6th, 1942
During August 1942 Major Eckhardt led an attack on his own initiative against a village in which strong Soviet forces were preparing for a major assault. In doing so he broke up a large-scale Soviet attack plan that was intended to take place in the Rzhev area. Major Eckhardt would later receive the Knight’s Cross for this action.