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Keitel, Gerhard Otto Wilhelm (TG 4)

Date of birth:
March 15th, 1916 (Glen Ridge/New Jersey, United States)
Date of death:
November 1st, 1979 (Oldenburg/Lowersaxony, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Gerhard Keitel was wounded at July 9th, 1944 when he crashed with his Junkers Ju 88 G-1, D5+NV at a brick factory near Düsseldorf-Unterrath. During his wartime career he was credited with ons night victory.
After the Second World War, Gerhard Keitel joined the Bundeswehr in 1956 as a Hauptmann and retired March 31st,1972 with the rank of Oberstleutnant.

Promotions:
1st December 1939: Unteroffizier;
1st June 1941: Feldwebel;
1st February 1942: Leutnant;
1st June 1942: Oberleutnant;
1st January 1944: Hauptmann;
20th December 1958: Major (Bundeswehr);
30th November 1964: Oberstleutnant.

Career:
May 12th, 1940: Kampfgruppe z.b.V. 1;
August 2nd, 1941: Stab, IV. Gruppe, Kampfgruppe z.b.V. 1;
March 12th, 1943: IV. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 53;
June 10th, 1943: Adjutant, II. Gruppe, Transportgeschwader 4;
June 12th, 1944: 2. Staffel, Nachtjagdgeschwader 3;
July 8th, 1944: 10. Staffel, Nachtjagdgeschwader 3;
March 23rd, 1945: III. Gruppe, Nachtjagdgeschwader 2;
1956: Bundeswehr;
March 31st, 1972: retirement.

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Awarded on:
July 6th, 1936
Flugzeugführerabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Unteroffizier
Unit:
Kampfgeschwader z.b.V. 1
Awarded on:
May 12th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel (Sergeant)
Unit:
Stab, IV. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader z.b.V. 1, Luftflotte 2
Awarded on:
August 2nd, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel (Sergeant)
Unit:
IV. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader z.b.V. 1
Awarded on:
June 6th, 1942

Was published in the Ehrenliste der Deutschen Luftwaffe on June 15th, 1942.
Luftwaffe Ehrenpokale für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel (Sergeant)
Unit:
IV. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader z.b.V. 1
Awarded on:
June 15th, 1942
Frontflugspange für Transportflieger in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
IV. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader z.b.V. 1
Awarded on:
September 11th, 1942
Cross to the Order for Bravery 2nd Class
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
IV. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 53
Awarded on:
March 12th, 1943

Nr. 1925.
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
II. Gruppe, Transportgeschwader 4
Awarded on:
October 17th, 1943
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)
Unit:
II. Gruppe, Transportgeschwader 4
Awarded on:
March 1st, 1944
Demjanskschild
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)
Unit:
II. Gruppe, Transportgeschwader 4
Awarded on:
March 21st, 1944
Medaglia commemorativa della campagna italo-tedesca in Africa
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)
Unit:
III. Gruppe, Nachtjagdgeschwader 2
Awarded on:
March 23rd, 1945
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber

Sources

Photo