Here is an extract from Doug's Officers database, see fuller details at link -
http://www.ww2.dk/Lw%20Offz%20G-K%202015.pdf .
30.09.39 Gen.Fl., awarded Ritterkreuz
12.01.40 Generaloberst, appt Oberbefehlshaber Luftflotte 2 and concurrently appt Bef. Nord (to 11.06.43).
19.07.40 promo to Generalfeldmarschall.
25.02.42 GFM, awarded Eichenlaub, Ob. Süd .
18.07.42 GFM, awarded Schwerter, Ob. Süd.
19.07.44 GFM, awarded Brillanten, Ob. Süd.
CJE, thank you for confirming the 1939 award! Do you have anything to add about the awards in 1942? See below:
To a greater degree than the award of the Knight's Cross, the very rapid ascent from the Oak Leaves to the Swords is worthy of comment! I wonder whether the Oak Leaves award had been delayed for one reason or another and related to Kesselring's earlier command in the West or during Barbarossa.
Regards,
Paul