Gerhard Köppen

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerhard_K%C3%B6ppen

Gerhard Köppen (17 May 1918 – 5 May 1942) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II. As a fighter ace, he was credited with 85 aerial victories claimed in 380 combat missions.

Born in Holzendorf, Köppen joined military service in 1936 and initially served with a bomber before he was trained as a fighter pilot. He was then posted to Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) in 1941. Köppen claimed his first aerial victories on 24 June 1941 during Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union. Following his 45th aerial victory, he was nominated for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross which he received on 18 December 1942. On 27 February 1942, Köppen was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves after 72 aerial victories and promoted to an officers rank. On 5 May 1942, he was posted missing in action after he made a forced landing in the Sea of Azov.