Horst Gresiak joined the 3.SS Totenkopf-Standarte in September 1940 as a Grenadier. After attending classes at SS-Junkerschule Braunschweig (November 41 to April 42) he joined the "Das Reich" Panzer Abteilung as a tank commander and later a Zugfuhrer with 3. Kompanie. Gresiak moved to 7. Kompanie and Kloskowski as commander. During his time as commander he was recommended for the Knights Cross by Dieter Kesten for his actions during action around Baraque de Fraiture during the Battle of the Bulge.