Frank Neubert (28 September 1915 â 13 December 2003) was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He is believed to have been the first victor in aerial combat in World War II after shooting down Captain Mieczyslaw Medwecki's PZL P.11 in the early hours of 1 September 1939. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. During his career he was credited with participating in 350+ missions.