Gerd Kelbling

Gerd Kelbling (12 June 1912 – 9 June 2005) was a German U-boat commander in World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. As a U-boat commander he is credited with the sinkinking of nine merchant vessels for a total of and three warships for a total of 2,902 tons, including the USS Skill and HMS Tynedale. He further damaged one ship of and one warship of 1,625 tons. A further vessel of and one warship 1,625 tons were so heavily damaged that they were a total loss. U-593 was sunk on 13 December 1943 in the western Mediterranean by depth charges from the US destroyer USS Wainwright and the British escort destroyer HMS Calpe. The entire crew, without loss of life, was taken prisoner of war.

Awards

 * Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class (8 April 1938)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (31 May 1940)
 * 1st Class (29 August 1940)
 * Minesweeper War Badge (3 December 1940)
 * U-boat War Badge (1939) (30 March 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 18 August 1943 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-593