Heinrich Sterr

Heinrich Sterr (24 September 1919 – 26 November 1944) was a German World War II Luftwaffe 130 aerial victories—that is, 130 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—Flying ace 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.

Career
Heinrich Sterr was born on 24 September 1919 in Ortenburg, Lower Bavaria as part of the Free State of Bavaria. He was posted to the 6./Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) on the Eastern Front of World War II where he claimed his first aerial victory on 6 April 1942. His total number of aerial victories claimed increased to ten by the end of 1942.

On 26 November 1944, he was shot down in Focke Wulf Fw 190 A-8 "Blue 4" during landing, by a pair of P-51's near Vörden/Lower Saxony, Germany. He claimed 128 victories over the Eastern Front, including 21 Il-2 Sturmovik.

Awards

 * Wound Badge in Black
 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 30 April 1943 as Feldwebel and pilot
 * German Cross in Gold on 23 July 1943 as Oberfeldwebel in the 6./JG 54
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 December 1943 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 6./JG 54