Wilhelm Antrup

Wilhelm "Willy" Antrup (1 February 1910 – 14 November 1984) was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). 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. Wilhelm Antrup was captured by American troops in May 1945.

In 1956, joined the post war Luftwaffe of the new founded Bundeswehr as an Oberst. In 1964, he became commander of the Höhere Technische Schule der Luftwaffe (Higher Technical School of the Luftwaffe), which was reorganized to the Technische Akademie der Luftwaffe (Technical Academy of the Luftwaffe) on June 1, 1966. His rank was Brigadegeneral. Antrup was retired in March 1968.

Awards and decorations

 * Flugzeugführerabzeichen
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * German Cross in Gold (2 January 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 13 November 1942 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän of the 5./Kampfgeschwader 55
 * 655th Oak Leaves on 18 November 1944 as Oberstleutnant and Geschwaderkommodore of Kampfgeschwader 55