Götz Freiherr von Mirbach

Erich Werner Siegfried Götz Freiherr von Mirbach (12 September 1912 – 6 August 1968) was a Korvettenkapitän with the Kriegsmarine during World War II. He is also a recipient of the coveted Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Von Mirbach was assigned to the 1. Schnellbootflottille attacking enemy shipping in the English Channel, sinking a British destroyer and three armed merchant vessels among others. His younger cousin, Oberleutnant Emmerich von Mirbach, served as the Engineering Officer on U-595. Götz Freiherr von Mirbach was later promoted to Korvettenkapitän and served as commander of the 9. Schnellbootflottille.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (30 April 1940)
 * 1st Class (28 May 1940)
 * German Cross in Gold (10 November 1942)
 * Service Award (Dienstauszeichnung) 4th Class (5 April 1939)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 14 August 1940 as Oberleutnant zur See and commander of Schnellboot S-21 in the 1. Schnellbootflottille
 * 500th Oak Leaves on 14 June 1944 as Kapitänleutnant and chief of the 9. Schnellbootflottille
 * Fast Attack Craft War Badge with Diamonds (14 June 1944)
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 28 April 1944