 The deteriorating situation and the end of the war prevented its presentation to Karl Mauss, the 26th recipient and Dietrich von Saucken, the 27th and final recipient.The Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds ("Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten") was instituted on 29 December 1944.This medal was the highest level, originally intended for 12 of the most distinguished servicemen in the entire German armed forces after the war ended.