An american MP removes the Iron Cross 1st Class from the uniform jacket of a german POW. The decorations remained in the holding of the POW but it was not permitted to be worn. USA, 1944.

Decorations off!

Soldiers of the Waffen-SS as POWs of the 7th US Army, January 1945. It's clear to see that this is not anymore the elite unit the Waffen SS was meant to be in early WW2.

Waffen-SS POW

In the port of New York City the arriving german POWs get informed about the surrender of Germany, May 8th 1945.