During World War II, a total of 145 Knights Cross medals were awarded to men of the U-Bootwaffe. These include:

80th was Kapitänleutnant Siegfried Frhr. Von Forstner, Skipper of U-402. The award was made 9 February 1943.
81st was Kapitänleutnant (Ing.) Gerhard Bielig, L.I. (Leading Engineer) of U-177, U-20 and U-103. The award was made 10 February 1943.
82nd was Kapitänleutnant Erich Würdemann, Skipper of U-506. The award was made 14 March 1943.
83rd was Kapitänleutnant REINHARD RECHE (1444-+-1990) [photo] , Skipper of U-255 (the Fox Boat). The award was made 17 March 1943.
84th was Oberleutnant z.S. Hans Trojer, Skipper of U-221. The award was made 24 March 1943.
85th was Kapitänleutnant Harald Gelhaus, C.O. of U-107 & U-143. The award was made 26 March 1943.
86th was Korvettenkapitän Karl Nietzel, Skipper of U-510. The award was made 27 March 1943.
87th was Kapitänleutnant Günther Seibicke, Skipper of U-436. The award was made 27 March 1943.
88th was Kapitänleutnant Ulrich Folkers, Skipper of U-125. The award was made 27 March 1943.
89th was Kapitänleutnant Hans Heidtmann, Skipper of U-559. The award was made 12 April 1943.
90th was Kapitänleutnant Helmut Möhlmann, Skipper of U-571. The award was made 16 April 1943.

Naturally, there will be more Ritterkreuzträger listed in KTB #170 next month. Did you wonder what this word meant? It is actually three words rolled into one, which is not uncommon in the German language. Ritter is a knight – looks like rider, doesn’t it? Kreuz is a cross. Träger, most closely translated, is someone who holds or carries. Therefore, a Ritterkreuzträger is one who Holds the Knights Cross. Makes sense…….

Remember, we really need the listing of the U. S. Navy submarine men who were decorated with the Navy Cross. Thanks in advance.