You're right about his time in Italy, he served there with 2./JG 2 (late February to early April 1944). He was awarded the Ehrenpokal (Goblet of Honour) on 3 March.
Italian service here:
http://www.ghostbombers.com/JG2/jg2intro.html
Career overview here:
http://www.ww2.dk/Lw%20Offz%20G-K%202015.pdf
Sorry, I don't know if he survived the war but someone here probably does.