Friedrich Obleser

Friedrich Obleser (21 February 1923 – 5 June 2004) was a German World War II fighter ace and was credited with 127 aerial victories achieved in 500 combat missions. He was also a 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. For his post-war service in the German Air Force, he received the Grand Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Career
Friedrich Obleser at one point questioned the aerial claims made by Erich Hartmann. Hartmann asked Günther Rall to have Obleser transferred to be Hartmann's wingman for a while. Obleser became a witness on some of Hartmann's claims and no longer questioned Hartmann's claims.

After World War II, Friedrich Obleser settled in West Germany and continued his career in the Luftwaffe der Bundeswehr after the re-militarization of West Germany in 1955. From 1 October 1978 until his retirement on 31 March 1983, he held the position of Inspekteur der Luftwaffe der Bundeswehr. At the end of his career, he had attained the rank of Generalleutnant and was the last active general in the Bundeswehr who had received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st class
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (8 November 1943)
 * German Cross in Gold on 14 November 1943 as Leutnant in the III./JG 52
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 23 March 1944 as Leutnant and Staffelführer of the 8./JG 52
 * Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
 * Officer's Cross (April 1973)
 * Commanders Cross (November 1979)
 * Grand Cross with Star (4 March 1983)