Willy Simke was an Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant), in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II. Willy Simke was born in Belgern on the river Elbe on the 26 January 1914. He volunteered to join the SS and was part of the SS-VT, which became the Das Reich Division. He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in February 1942 and the 1st class award in May 1942.