Can Anyone identify this RK Holder?

[Doug Nash]

Can anyone identify this RK holder? I believe he was assigned to the 4th Panzer Division when the Photo was taken during the Kowel/Kovel relief operation in late March or early April 1944.
Thanks!
Regards,
Doug Nash

[Michael Miller / ABR]

I don't have a name for him, but he looks a lot like a StuG unit commander pictured in the "Sturmartillerie" volume of Biblio-Verlag's RKT series... I'll look through that book when I get home and see if he's a match/get the name.

Best wishes,
~ Mike

[Doug Nash]

Stop the presses - this guy is Hauptmann Schulz-Merkel, of 1st Abteilung/Pz.Rgt. 35 of the 4th Panzer Division. Thanks and tip of the hat to Fred Clemens.
Cheers,
Doug Nash

[Michael Miller / ABR]

Sure enough- that's him. He's on page 271 of Christian Federl's Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Panzerdivisionen, 1939-1945.

Dr. med.
Hans Joachim Schulz-Merkl
Oberstabsarzt

Born: 06.04.1913 in Oppeln / Schlesien.
Died: 02.09.200 in Marktoberdorf.

Entered Reichswehr: 01.04.1933

Decorations & Awards:
23.12.1943 -- Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as Stabsarzt and Abteilungsarzt of I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 35 / 4.Panzer-Division / 2.Armeeoberkommando / Heeresgruppe Mitte, Eastern Front (based on a recommendation dated 16.12.1943; "Vorl. Bes. Zeug. und Ausz. ab: 28.12.1943 an: stellv. Generalkommando V.Armee-Korps)
21.10.1943 -- Deutsches Kreuz in Gold as Stabsarzt and Abteilungsarzt of I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 35 / 4.Panzer-DIvision, Eastern Front
23.07.1941 -- Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
24.06.1940 -- Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
00.00.194_ -- Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber (?)

[Doug Nash]

Thank you Michael!!

[Michael Miller / ABR]

You're welcome, Herr Oberst!

Small typo- his year of death was 2. September 2000.

Best,
~ Mike