Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Obergefreiter (Corporal)

Unit:

Meldestaffelführer III./Grenadier-Regiment 53

Awarded on:

May 14th, 1944

During the battles SE of Vitebsk, in March 1944, Steenbock was in the process of delivering a message when he noticed that an important hilltop position had been occupied by the Soviets. Recognizing the danger that this created for the whole regiment, he quickly rallied some nearby soldiers and launched a counterthrust. He and his handful of troops were able to retake the hill and hold it for several days.

For his actions here, which averted some potentially very costly fighting for German forces in the area, Obergefreite Steenbock was awarded the Knight's Cross.