Kentgens, Joop (Joseph)

Date of birth:: December 21st, 1915 (Utrecht, the Netherlands)
Date of death:: July 19th, 2009 (Kalmthout, Belgium)
Service number:: 15.12.21.011.
Nationality:: Dutch

Biography

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Bronzen Kruis (BK)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Reserve officier-tandarts der 1e klasse
Awarded on:: April 10th, 1945

Recommendation:
He has distinguished himself by courageous conduct in the face of the enemy as local commander of Zoetermeer.
On April 29, 1945 he, his second in command and many others, including seven members of Allied aircrews, were hiding in a hunting lodge on the Rotte when it was encircled in early afternoon after the guards outside had been overwhelmed. He immediately decided on armed resistance and to that end he distributed the weapos that were present in the house. When he started firing he was struck in the head and went down. His second in command took charge and managed to enforce a safe retreat at the cost of his own life, an American soldier was killed in the process as well. Joop Kentgens, gravely injured in the head, was taken prisoner and transferred to Rotterdam; the country was liberated one week later.

Royal decree no. 54