Lent was promoted to "Hauptmann" on 1 January 1942. Later that year, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves () on 6 June 1942, at which time his total stood at 34 nocturnal victories plus seven day-time victories. The award was presented at the "Führerhauptquartier" on 28 and 29 June, his tally standing then at 39 nocturnal and seven day-time victories. Lent also held the distinction of achieving the first Lichtenstein radar-assisted air victory in a Dornier Do 215B-5 night fighter. Lent flew Dornier Do 215B-5 code R4+DC regularly on Himmelbett missions because of its five-hour endurance. Lent claimed at least four victories in this machine.