Lemke managed to lead his unit into US captivity rather than becoming prisoners of the Russians
Temporary Lieutenant (Acting Captain) W
and to Obergefreiter (Corporal) on November 1
6th Marines
Hugh Bryan Hester died of natural causes on November 25
Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, I Class With Swords, By C.f. Zimmermann Auction Archive Lemke managed to lead his(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern). Constructed of zink, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse with pebbled arms, with a central wreathed mobile swastika and crossed swords through the centerpiece, the reverse with a barrel hinge and banjo style pinback meeting a round wire catch, marked with code L 52 for maker C. F. Zimmermann, Pforzheim, measuring 49. 35 mm (w) x 48. 73 mm (h), weighing 17. 7 grams, in near very fine condition.