The 21st winner of the OAK LEAF CLUSTER to the KNIGHTS CROSS was GrossAdmiral Karl Dönitz. In World War I, Dönitz was a U-Boat Commander and prior to World War II, was ComSub where he formulated the new tactics and supervised the design and construction of the new types of submarines.
Later in the war, he became CinC of the Kriegsmarine and with the alleged suicide of Hitler, Karl Dönitz became head of the German state. It is safe to say that Karl Dönitz was the father of modern submarine warfare. He was well liked by the great majority of U-Bootfahrer, and highly respected by friend and foe alike.
The OAK LEAF CLUSTER was awarded to GrossAdmiral Dönitz on 7 April, 1943.
GrossAdmiral Karl Dönitz died of natural causes on Christmas Eve of 1980.
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© Copyright 1999 by Harry Cooper, Sharkhunters International, Inc.
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