List of Knight's Cross recipients of the U-boat service
Encyclopedia
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
(German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) and its variants was the highest award in the military of the Third Reich. Recipients are grouped by grades of the Knight's Cross. During or shortly after World War II
, 145 German sailors and officers of the U-boat
service as part of the Kriegsmarine
received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Among them, 29 officers received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
(Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub), five the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
(Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern), and two won the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Swords and Diamonds
(Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten). Of these, 144 presentations were formally made and one recipient received the award after 11 May 1945, when Großadmiral Karl Dönitz
ordered a cease of all promotions and illegalized all subsequent awards. The final recipient is therefore considered to have received the medal without legal authority.
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grades were based on four separate enactments
. The first enactment of 1 September 1939 instituted the Iron Cross
and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. As the war progressed, some of the recipients distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Oak Leaves to Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment of 3 June 1940. In 1941, two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment of 28 September 1941 introduced the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds . At the end of 1944 the final grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds , based on the enactment of 29 December 1944, became the final variant of the Knight's Cross authorized.
The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht
kept separate Knight's Cross lists, one for each of the three military branches, Heer
(Army
), Kriegsmarine
(Navy
), Luftwaffe
(Air force
) and for the Waffen-SS
. Within each of these lists a unique sequential number was assigned to each recipient. The same numbering paradigm
was applied to the higher grades of the Knight's Cross, one list per grade.
is based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of 1 September 1939 Verordnung über die Erneuerung des Eisernen Kreuzes (Regulation of the renewing of the Iron Cross).
ordered a cease of all promotions and awards as of 11 May 1945. Nevertheless, a number of Knight's Crosses were awarded after this date and are considered "illegal" hand-outs. One sailor of the U-boat service is often listed as a recipient of the Knight's Cross but falls outside of the Dönitz-decree. Karl Jäckel received his Knight's Cross confirmation after 11 May 1945 and is therefore a de facto
but not de jure
recipient.
on 13 October 1943. Author Clemens Range dates Hans Lehmann's Knight's Cross on 8 June 1945, thus after the effectiveness of the Dönitz-decree. Walther-Peer Fellgiebel, author of Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945, indicates that Lehmann received the Knight's Cross on 11 May 1945, before the Dönitz-decree prohibited the awarding of the Knight's Cross. The sequential number 317 within the Kriegsmarine, 144 within the U-boat service, associated to Lehmann's Knight's Cross is based on author Clemens Range's work Die Ritterkreuzträger der Kriegsmarine and Busch and Röll's book Der U-Boot-Krieg 1939-1945 - Die Ritterkreuzträger der U-Boot-Waffe von September 1939 bis Mai 1945. Historian Veit Scherzer, whose work Die Ritterkreuzträger Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives is based on the primary data from the German National Archives, indicates that the 7 May 1945 is the correct date.
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
(German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) and its variants was the highest award in the military of the Third Reich. Recipients are grouped by grades of the Knight's Cross. During or shortly after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, 145 German sailors and officers of the U-boat
U-boat
U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
service as part of the Kriegsmarine
Kriegsmarine
The Kriegsmarine was the name of the German Navy during the Nazi regime . It superseded the Kaiserliche Marine of World War I and the post-war Reichsmarine. The Kriegsmarine was one of three official branches of the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany.The Kriegsmarine grew rapidly...
received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Among them, 29 officers received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
(Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub), five the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
(Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern), and two won the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Swords and Diamonds
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
(Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten). Of these, 144 presentations were formally made and one recipient received the award after 11 May 1945, when Großadmiral Karl Dönitz
Karl Dönitz
Karl Dönitz was a German naval commander during World War II. He started his career in the German Navy during World War I. In 1918, while he was in command of , the submarine was sunk by British forces and Dönitz was taken prisoner...
ordered a cease of all promotions and illegalized all subsequent awards. The final recipient is therefore considered to have received the medal without legal authority.
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grades were based on four separate enactments
Coming into force
Coming into force or entry into force refers to the process by which legislation, regulations, treaties and other legal instruments come to have legal force and effect...
. The first enactment of 1 September 1939 instituted the Iron Cross
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. As the war progressed, some of the recipients distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Oak Leaves to Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment of 3 June 1940. In 1941, two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment of 28 September 1941 introduced the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds . At the end of 1944 the final grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds , based on the enactment of 29 December 1944, became the final variant of the Knight's Cross authorized.
The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht
Oberkommando der Wehrmacht
The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht was part of the command structure of the armed forces of Nazi Germany during World War II.- Genesis :...
kept separate Knight's Cross lists, one for each of the three military branches, Heer
German Army
The German Army is the land component of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. Following the disbanding of the Wehrmacht after World War II, it was re-established in 1955 as the Bundesheer, part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr along with the Navy and the Air Force...
(Army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
), Kriegsmarine
Kriegsmarine
The Kriegsmarine was the name of the German Navy during the Nazi regime . It superseded the Kaiserliche Marine of World War I and the post-war Reichsmarine. The Kriegsmarine was one of three official branches of the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany.The Kriegsmarine grew rapidly...
(Navy
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
), Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
(Air force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
) and for the Waffen-SS
Waffen-SS
The Waffen-SS was a multi-ethnic and multi-national military force of the Third Reich. It constituted the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel or SS, an organ of the Nazi Party. The Waffen-SS saw action throughout World War II and grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions, and served alongside...
. Within each of these lists a unique sequential number was assigned to each recipient. The same numbering paradigm
Paradigm
The word paradigm has been used in science to describe distinct concepts. It comes from Greek "παράδειγμα" , "pattern, example, sample" from the verb "παραδείκνυμι" , "exhibit, represent, expose" and that from "παρά" , "beside, beyond" + "δείκνυμι" , "to show, to point out".The original Greek...
was applied to the higher grades of the Knight's Cross, one list per grade.
Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds
The Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds is based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of 28 September 1941 to reward those servicemen who had already been awarded the Oak Leaves with Swords to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Ultimately, it would be awarded to twenty-seven German soldiers, sailors and airmen, ranging from young fighter pilots to field marshals. Two recipients were members of the U-boat arm.| Number | Name | Rank | Unit | Date of award | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-181 | killed on active service 13 May 1945 | ||
| 22 | Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-967 German submarine U-967 German submarine U-967 was a German Type VIIC/41 U-boat of the Kriegsmarine. Her keel was laid down on 16 May 1942 by Blohm + Voss of Hamburg, Germany. She was commissioned on 11 March 1943 with Oberleutnant zur See Herbert Loeder in command... |
Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
The Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords is also based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of 28 September 1941 to reward those servicemen who had already been awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.| Number | Name | Rank | Unit | Date of award | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-99 | |||
| 17 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-552 | |||
| 18 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-564 | |||
| 29 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-181 | Awarded 7th Diamonds on 9 August 1943 | ||
| 66 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-380 | Awarded 22nd Diamonds on 24 November 1944 | ||
Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves
The Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves was based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of 3 June 1940. The last officially announced number for the Oak Leaves was 843. Higher numbers are unofficial and therefore denoted in brackets.| Number | Name | Rank | Unit | Date of award | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-47 | missing in action Missing in action Missing in action is a casualty Category assigned under the Status of Missing to armed services personnel who are reported missing during active service. They may have been killed, wounded, become a prisoner of war, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave can be positively... 7 March 1941 |
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| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-99 | Awarded 5th Swords on 26 December 1941 | |||
| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-100 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 17 March 1941 |
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| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-38 | at the same time promoted to Korvettenkapitän | |||
| Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-46 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 21 December 1941 |
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| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-48 | ||||
| Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-103 | ||||
| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-96 | ||||
| Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-564 | Awarded 18th Swords on 1 September 1942 | |||
| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-552 | Awarded 17th Swords on 17 August 1942 | |||
| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-123 | ||||
| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-203 German submarine U-203 German submarine U-203 was a German Type VIIC submarine U-boat built for the German Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. Built as werk 632 of Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft AG in Kiel, U-203 served in eleven patrols with the first flotilla and is credited with sinking 21 ships for 94,270... |
killed on active service 11 September 1942 | |||
| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-201 | ||||
| Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-108 | ||||
| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-109 German submarine U-109 (1940) The German submarine U-109 was a Type IXB U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine that operated during World War II. She conducted nine war-patrols, sinking 12 ships and damaging one... |
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| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-181 | Awarded 29th Swords on 15 April 1943 and 7th Diamonds on 9 August 1943 | |||
| Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-68 | ||||
| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-81 | ||||
| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-124 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 3 April 1943 |
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| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-160 | ||||
| Großadmiral | commander in chief of the Kriegsmarine Kriegsmarine The Kriegsmarine was the name of the German Navy during the Nazi regime . It superseded the Kaiserliche Marine of World War I and the post-war Reichsmarine. The Kriegsmarine was one of three official branches of the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany.The Kriegsmarine grew rapidly... Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine Oberkommando der Marine The Oberkommando der Marine was Nazi Germany's Naval High Command and the highest administrative and command authority of the Kriegsmarine. It was officially formed from the Marineleitung of the Reichswehr on 11 January 1936. In 1937 it was combined with the newly formed Seekriegsleitung... |
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| Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-617 | Awarded 66th Swords on 9 May 1944 and 22nd on Diamonds 24 November 1944 | |||
| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-404 | ||||
| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-177 German submarine U-177 German submarine U-177 was a Type IXD2 U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 25 November 1940 at the AG Weser yard at Bremen, launched on 1 October 1941, and commissioned on 14 March 1942 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Schulze... |
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| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-172 | ||||
| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-515 | killed as prisoner of war Prisoner of war A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict... on 15 June 1944 |
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| Kapitän zur See | leader of U-boat operations in the Mediterranean Sea Mediterranean Sea The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant... , commander of U-198 German submarine U-198 German submarine U-198, was a Type IXD2 U-boat which fought in World War II.She was built by the Deschimag AG Weser in Bremen. The boat was sunk on 12 August 1944 near the Seychelles, in position , by depth charges from the British frigate HMS Findhorn and the Indian Black Swan class sloop HMIS... |
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| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-1202 | ||||
| Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-711 |
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron CrossKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
is based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of 1 September 1939 Verordnung über die Erneuerung des Eisernen Kreuzes (Regulation of the renewing of the Iron Cross).
| Number | Name | Rank | Unit | Date of award | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-47 | Awarded 5th Oak Leaves on 20 October 1940 | ||
| 2 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-48 | Awarded 15th Oak Leaves on 12 June 1941 | ||
| 3 | Konteradmiral | commander in chief of U-boat operations Befehlshaber der U-Boote |
Awarded 223rd Oak Leaves on 6 April 1943 | ||
| 4 | Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-37 | Awarded 645th Oak Leaves on 5 November 1944 | ||
| 5 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-29 German submarine U-29 (1936) German submarine U-29 was a Type VIIA U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine during World War II.She was laid down on 2 January 1936 and commissioned on 10 November 1936. During her career U-29 was involved in seven war patrols under the command of Kapitänleutnant Otto Schuhart... |
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| 6 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-34 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 5 November 1943 |
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| 7 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-99 | Awarded 6th Oak Leaves on 4 November 1940 and 5. Swords on 26 December 1941 | ||
| 8 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-38 | Awarded 13th Oak Leaves on 10 June 1941 | ||
| 9 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-30 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 9 May 1941 |
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| 10 | Korvettenkapitän | chief of the 7. Unterseebootsflottille and commander of U-48 | |||
| 11 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-101 | |||
| 12 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-46 | Awarded 14th Oak Leaves on 10 June 1941 | ||
| 13 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-28 | |||
| 14 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-100 | Awarded 7th Oak Leaves on 1 December 1940 | ||
| 15 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-32 | |||
| 16 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-37 | |||
| 17 | Oberleutnant Oberleutnant Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty... (Ing.) |
chief engineer on U-37 | |||
| 18 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-48 | Awarded 125th Oak Leaves on 23 September 1942 | ||
| 19 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-138 German submarine U-138 (1940) German submarine U-138 was a Type IID U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine, best known for her two patrols in 1940 under the command of Wolfgang Lüth. During her six war patrols under Lüth's and Franz Gramitzky’s command she sank almost 55,557 tons of Allied shipping.-External links:*... |
Awarded 142nd Oak Leaves 13 November 1942, 29th Swords on 15 April 1943 and 7th Diamonds on 9 August 1943 | ||
| 20 | Oberleutnant zur See | 1st officer on U-48 | Awarded 56th Oak Leaves on 31 December 1941 and 18th Swords on 1 September 1942 | ||
| 21 | Stabsobersteuermann | watch officer and coxswain Coxswain The coxswain is the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering. The etymology of the word gives us a literal meaning of "boat servant" since it comes from cox, a coxboat or other small vessel kept aboard a ship, and swain, which can be rendered as boy, in authority. ... on U-99 |
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| 22 | Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-103 | Awarded 23rd Oak Leaves on 14 July 1941 | ||
| 23 | Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-65 German submarine U-65 (1940) German submarine U-65 was a Type IXB U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine during World War II. Over the course of six war patrols from 15 February 1940 through 28 April 1941, she sank twelve ships and damaged three others for a total loss of 88,664 GRT.... |
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| 24 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-123 | |||
| 25 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-96 | Awarded 51st Oak Leaves on 31 December 1941 | ||
| 26 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-106 | |||
| 27 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-124 | |||
| 28 | Oberleutnant Oberleutnant Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty... (Ing.) |
chief engineer on U-48 | |||
| 29 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-94 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 27 August 1943 |
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| 30 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-556 | |||
| 31 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-105 German submarine U-105 (1940) German submarine U-105 was a Type IXB U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine. U-105 was ordered by the Kriegsmarine on 24 May 1938 as part of Nazi Germany's naval rearmament program. Her keel was laid down by AG Weser in Bremen on 16 November 1938... |
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| 32 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-93 | |||
| 33 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-552 | Awarded 87th Oak Leaves on 11 April 1942 and 17th Swords on 17 August 1942 | ||
| 34 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-107 | |||
| 35 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-69 | |||
| 36 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-201 | Awarded 105th Oak Leaves on 15 July 1942 | ||
| 37 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-203 German submarine U-203 German submarine U-203 was a German Type VIIC submarine U-boat built for the German Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. Built as werk 632 of Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft AG in Kiel, U-203 served in eleven patrols with the first flotilla and is credited with sinking 21 ships for 94,270... |
Awarded 104th Oak Leaves on 15 July 1942 | ||
| 38 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-101 | |||
| 39 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-81 | Awarded 171st Oak Leaves on 8 January 1943 | ||
| 40 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-108 | Awarded 123rd Oak Leaves on 10 September 1942 | ||
| 41 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-751 German submarine U-751 German submarine U-751 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for the German Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. Built as werk 134 of the Kriegsmarinewerft shipyard in Wilhelmshaven, she was commissioned on 31 January 1941, she served with 7th U-Boat Flotilla until 1 June as a training boat, and... |
killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 17 July 1942 |
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| 42 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-74 | |||
| 43 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-98 | Awarded 250th Oak Leaves on 31 May 1943 | ||
| 44 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-123 | Awarded 89th Oak Leaves on 23 April 1942 | ||
| 45 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-331 | |||
| 46 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-129 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 16 May 1943 |
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| 47 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-126 | |||
| 48 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-124 | Awarded 177th Oak Leaves on 13 January 1943 | ||
| 49 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-94 | |||
| 50 | Korvettenkapitän | comannder of U-66 | |||
| 51 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-103 | |||
| 52 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-333 | |||
| 53 | Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-68 | Awarded 147th Oak Leaves on 16 November 1942 | ||
| 54 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-83 | |||
| 55 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-158 German submarine U-158 (1941) German submarine U-158 was a Type IXC U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II.Her keel was laid down on November 1, 1940 by AG Weser in Bremen... |
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| 56 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-432 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 25 November 1943 |
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| 57 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-160 | Awarded 208th Oak Leaves on 7 March 1943 | ||
| 58 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-73 | |||
| 59 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-155 | |||
| 60 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-77 German submarine U-77 (1940) German submarine U-77 was a Type VIIC U-boat of the Kriegsmarine built by the Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack. The boat was sunk on 28 March 1943 east of Cartagena, Spain, in position by four depth charges and one bomb from two British Lockheed Hudson aircraft.-Ships sunk or... |
killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 28 June 1943 |
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| 61 | Korvettenkapitän | comannder of U-553 | missing in action Missing in action Missing in action is a casualty Category assigned under the Status of Missing to armed services personnel who are reported missing during active service. They may have been killed, wounded, become a prisoner of war, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave can be positively... 28 January 1943 |
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| 62 | Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-130 | |||
| 63 | Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-156 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 8 March 1943 |
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| 64 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-558 German submarine U-558 The German submarine U-558 was a Type VIIC U-boat in the service of the German Kriegsmarine during World War II. She sank 19 shipping and military vessels totalling nearly 100,000 tons before being sunk by bombers in July 1943.... |
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| 65 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-404 | Awarded 234th Oak Leaves on 26 April 1943 | ||
| 66 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-159 | |||
| 67 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-435 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 15 July 1943 |
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| 68 | Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-504 | |||
| 69 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-172 | Awarded 256th Oak Leaves on 4 July 1943 | ||
| 70 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-67 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 16 July 1943 |
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| 71 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-431 | |||
| 72 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-129 | |||
| 73 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-515 | Awarded 257th Oak Leaves on 4 July 1943 | ||
| 74 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-106 | |||
| 75 | Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-507 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 14 January 1943 |
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| 76 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-161 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 27 September 1943 |
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| 77 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-522 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 24 February 1943 |
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| 78 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-128 | |||
| 79 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-617 | Awarded 224th Oak Leaves on 11 April 1943, 66th Swords on 9 May 1944 and 22nd Diamonds on 24 November 1944 | ||
| 80 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-402 German submarine U-402 German submarine U-402 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for the German Kriegsmarine for service during World War II.U-402 commanded by Kapitänleutnant Siegfried von Forstner carried out eight combat patrols sinking 14 merchantmen and one warship during the Second World War. U-402 also damaged three... |
killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 13 October 1943 |
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| 81 | Kapitänleutnant (Ing.) | chief engineer on U-177 German submarine U-177 German submarine U-177 was a Type IXD2 U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 25 November 1940 at the AG Weser yard at Bremen, launched on 1 October 1941, and commissioned on 14 March 1942 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Schulze... |
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| 82 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-506 German submarine U-506 German submarine U-506 was a Type IXC U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 11 July 1940 at the Deutsche Werft yard at Hamburg, launched on 20 June 1941, and commissioned on 15 September 1941 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Erich Würdemann... |
killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 14 July 1943 |
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| 83 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-255 | |||
| 84 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-221 | |||
| 85 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-107 | |||
| 86 | Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-510 German submarine U-510 German submarine U-510 was a Type IXC U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine during World War II, which later served in the French Navy. The submarine was laid down on 1 November 1940 at the Deutsche Werft yard at Hamburg, launched on 4 September 1941, and commissioned on 25 November 1941 under the... |
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| 87 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-436 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 26 May 1943 |
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| 88 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-125 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 6 May 1943 |
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| 89 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-559 | |||
| 90 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-571 | |||
| 91 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-596 | |||
| 92 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-565 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 13 January 1945 |
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| 93 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-521 | |||
| 94 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-575 | |||
| 95 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-66 | |||
| 96 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-508 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 12 November 1943 |
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| 97 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-593 | |||
| 98 | Kapitänleutnant (Ing.) | chief engineer on U-106 | |||
| 99 | * | Oberleutnant Oberleutnant Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty... (Ing.) of the Reserves Military reserve force A military reserve force is a military organization composed of citizens of a country who combine a military role or career with a civilian career. They are not normally kept under arms and their main role is to be available to fight when a nation mobilizes for total war or to defend against invasion... |
chief engineer on U-847 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 27 August 1943 |
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| 100 | * | Leutnant (Ing.) | chief engineer on U-752 German submarine U-752 German submarine U-752 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for the German Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She served with 3rd U-boat Flotilla from 24 May 1941 to 23 May 1943 under the command of Karl-Ernst Schroeter.... |
killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 23 May 1943 |
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| 101 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-185 | |||
| 102 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-431 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 23 October 1943 |
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| 103 | Oberleutnant Oberleutnant Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty... (Ing.) of the Reserves Military reserve force A military reserve force is a military organization composed of citizens of a country who combine a military role or career with a civilian career. They are not normally kept under arms and their main role is to be available to fight when a nation mobilizes for total war or to defend against invasion... |
chief engineer on U-181 | |||
| 104 | Kapitänleutnant (Ing.) | chief engineer on U-69 and U-514 German submarine U-514 German submarine U-514 was a Type IXC U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine during World War II, commissioned in December 1941 and sunk by RAF aircraft after 19 months.Humphrey Metzgen and John Graham, , University of West Indies Press, 2007,... |
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| 105 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-453 | |||
| 106 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-410 German submarine U-410 German submarine U-410 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for the German Kriegsmarine for service during World War II operating mainly in the Mediterranean. Her Insignia was a Sword & Shield... |
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| 107 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-262 | |||
| 108 | * | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-456 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 12 May 1943 |
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| 109 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-616 | |||
| 110 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-543 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 2 July 1944 |
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| 111 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-188 | killed on active service 13 January 1945 | ||
| 112 | Kapitänleutnant (Ing.) | chief engineer on U-198 German submarine U-198 German submarine U-198, was a Type IXD2 U-boat which fought in World War II.She was built by the Deschimag AG Weser in Bremen. The boat was sunk on 12 August 1944 near the Seychelles, in position , by depth charges from the British frigate HMS Findhorn and the Indian Black Swan class sloop HMIS... |
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| 113 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-413 | |||
| 114 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-371 | |||
| 115 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-510 German submarine U-510 German submarine U-510 was a Type IXC U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine during World War II, which later served in the French Navy. The submarine was laid down on 1 November 1940 at the Deutsche Werft yard at Hamburg, launched on 4 September 1941, and commissioned on 25 November 1941 under the... |
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| 116 | Oberleutnant Oberleutnant Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty... (Ing.) |
chief engineer on U-66 | |||
| 117 | Obersteuermann | 3rd watch officer and coxswain Coxswain The coxswain is the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering. The etymology of the word gives us a literal meaning of "boat servant" since it comes from cox, a coxboat or other small vessel kept aboard a ship, and swain, which can be rendered as boy, in authority. ... on U-123 |
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| 118 | Obersteuermann | coxswain Coxswain The coxswain is the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering. The etymology of the word gives us a literal meaning of "boat servant" since it comes from cox, a coxboat or other small vessel kept aboard a ship, and swain, which can be rendered as boy, in authority. ... and watch officer on U-672 |
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| 119 | Kapitänleutnant (Ing.) | chief engineer on U-178 German submarine U-178 German submarine U-178 was a Type IXD2 U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II.Ordered on 28 May 1940, the U-boat was laid down on 24 December 1940 at the AG Weser yard at Bremen, was launched on 25 October 1941, and commissioned on 14 February 1942, under the... |
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| 120 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-123 | |||
| Oberleutnant zur See | chief of the Kleinkampfflottille 361 | ||||
| 121 | Oberleutnant Oberleutnant Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty... (Ing.) |
chief engineer on U-123 | |||
| 122 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-984 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 20 August 1944 |
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| 123 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-18 | |||
| 124 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-953 | |||
| 125 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-621 | killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 23 August 1944 |
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| 126 | Stabsobermaschinist | lead machinist on U-270 | |||
| 127 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-711 | Awarded 853rd Oak Leaves on 29 April 1945 | ||
| 128 | Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-862 | |||
| 129 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-957 | |||
| 130 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-480 German submarine U-480 U-480 was an experimental Kriegsmarine Type VIIC U-boat of World War II, considered by many to be the first stealth submarine. It was equipped with a special rubber coating that made it harder to detect by British ASDIC sonar.-The coating:The Germans developed a... |
killed in action Killed in action Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to... 24 February 1945 |
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| 131 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-737 | |||
| 132 | Oberbootsmannsmaat | leading seaman of the bridge (Brückenmaat) on U-123 | |||
| 133 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-978 | |||
| 134 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-1202 | Awarded 852nd Oak Leaves on 29 April 1945 | ||
| 135 | Korvettenkapitän | commander of U-870 | |||
| 136 | Kapitän zur See | commander of U-1232 German submarine U-1232 U-1232 was a Type IX U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine during World War II. On 14 January 1945, the boat torpedoed and sank three ships within 13 minutes near Halifax Harbour off the Atlantic coast of Canada.... |
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| 137 | Leutnant zur See | 1st officer on U-181 | |||
| 138 | Oberleutnant zur See of the Reserves Military reserve force A military reserve force is a military organization composed of citizens of a country who combine a military role or career with a civilian career. They are not normally kept under arms and their main role is to be available to fight when a nation mobilizes for total war or to defend against invasion... |
commander of U-995 | |||
| 139 | Oberleutnant zur See | commander of U-968 | |||
| 140 | Kapitänleutnant (Ing.) | chief enginner on U-516 | |||
| 141 | Oberleutnant Oberleutnant Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty... (Ing.) |
chief engineer on U-802 | |||
| 142 | Obermaschinist | lead machinist on U-1203 | |||
| 143 | Kapitänleutnant | commander of U-1023 German submarine U-1023 German submarine U-1023 was a German Type VIIC/41 U-boat of the Kriegsmarine. She was laid down on 20 May 1943 by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg, Germany, and commissioned on 15 June 1944 with Oberleutnant Wolfgang Strenger in command. U-1023 sank one ship and damaged one more for a total of 7680 gross... |
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| 144 | Oberleutnant zur See of the Reserves Military reserve force A military reserve force is a military organization composed of citizens of a country who combine a military role or career with a civilian career. They are not normally kept under arms and their main role is to be available to fight when a nation mobilizes for total war or to defend against invasion... |
commander of U-997 |
Legally disputed Knight's Cross recipients
Großadmiral Karl DönitzKarl Dönitz
Karl Dönitz was a German naval commander during World War II. He started his career in the German Navy during World War I. In 1918, while he was in command of , the submarine was sunk by British forces and Dönitz was taken prisoner...
ordered a cease of all promotions and awards as of 11 May 1945. Nevertheless, a number of Knight's Crosses were awarded after this date and are considered "illegal" hand-outs. One sailor of the U-boat service is often listed as a recipient of the Knight's Cross but falls outside of the Dönitz-decree. Karl Jäckel received his Knight's Cross confirmation after 11 May 1945 and is therefore a de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
but not de jure
De jure
De jure is an expression that means "concerning law", as contrasted with de facto, which means "concerning fact".De jure = 'Legally', De facto = 'In fact'....
recipient.
| Number | Name | Rank | Unit | Date of award | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 144 | Ober-Steuermann | Coxswain Coxswain The coxswain is the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering. The etymology of the word gives us a literal meaning of "boat servant" since it comes from cox, a coxboat or other small vessel kept aboard a ship, and swain, which can be rendered as boy, in authority. ... on U-29 German submarine U-29 (1936) German submarine U-29 was a Type VIIA U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine during World War II.She was laid down on 2 January 1936 and commissioned on 10 November 1936. During her career U-29 was involved in seven war patrols under the command of Kapitänleutnant Otto Schuhart... , U-160 and U-907 |
Footnotes
Sources are inconclusive with respect to date of death. Some sources indicate that von Forstner succumbed to his injuries on 22 October 1943 nine days after the sinking of U-402German submarine U-402
German submarine U-402 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for the German Kriegsmarine for service during World War II.U-402 commanded by Kapitänleutnant Siegfried von Forstner carried out eight combat patrols sinking 14 merchantmen and one warship during the Second World War. U-402 also damaged three...
on 13 October 1943. Author Clemens Range dates Hans Lehmann's Knight's Cross on 8 June 1945, thus after the effectiveness of the Dönitz-decree. Walther-Peer Fellgiebel, author of Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945, indicates that Lehmann received the Knight's Cross on 11 May 1945, before the Dönitz-decree prohibited the awarding of the Knight's Cross. The sequential number 317 within the Kriegsmarine, 144 within the U-boat service, associated to Lehmann's Knight's Cross is based on author Clemens Range's work Die Ritterkreuzträger der Kriegsmarine and Busch and Röll's book Der U-Boot-Krieg 1939-1945 - Die Ritterkreuzträger der U-Boot-Waffe von September 1939 bis Mai 1945. Historian Veit Scherzer, whose work Die Ritterkreuzträger Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives is based on the primary data from the German National Archives, indicates that the 7 May 1945 is the correct date.