Eugen-Heinrich Bleyer

Eugen-Heinrich Bleyer (20 November 1896 – 18 March 1979) was a German general during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Biography Eugen-Heinrich Bleyer was born on 20 November 1896 in Mainz in the Grand Duchy of Hesse, German Empire, as the son of Heinrich Bleyer, a railway inspector, and Elise, née Zilles.

Bleyer commenced his military service on 13 August 1914, shortly after the beginning of World War I, as a Fahnenjunker (officer candidate) in Infanterie-Leib-Regiment „Großherzogin“ (3. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 117. On 8 October 1914, he joined his regiment on the Western Front and was promoted to Leutnant (lieutenant) on 8 May 1915 (with a patent of 22 May 1914). He was transferred to Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 186 on 20 May 1915.

Bleyer returned to Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 117 on 5 April 1919 and was soon transferred to the newly formed Reichswehr. He served initially in the Reichswehr-Infanterie-Regiment 36 and then in the Reichswehr-Schützen-Regiment 22 before being transferred to the 15. Infanterie-Regiment on 1 January 1921. On 1 July 1922, he received a seniority date as lieutenant of 1 September 1915. On 31 July 1925, he was promoted to Oberleutnant with effect from 1 April 1925. On 1 October 1930 he was transferred to the 1. Infanterie-Regiment and on 1 January 1931 he was named a company commander in that regiment. He was promoted to Hauptmann on 1 February 1931. Bleyer died in Bad Tölz, Bavaria on 18 March 1979.

Awards and decorations Kingdom of Prussia: Iron Cross (1914) 2nd Class (5 October 1915) Germany: 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross 1st Class (16 June 1940) Germany: Eastern Front Medal (22 August 1942) Germany: Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Merit Cross 1st Class (17 August 1967)