Rolf Hermichen

Rolf Hermichen (born 25 July 1918) is a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) during World War II. 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.

He was born in Wernigerode in the district of Harz. Hermichen is credited with 64 aerial victories claimed in 629 combat missions, 11 of them while flying the Messerschmitt Bf 110. He shot down 53 enemy aircraft in Defense of the Reich, including 26 four engine strategic bombers.

Awards

 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (5 January 1942)
 * German Cross in Gold on 15 October 1942 as Oberleutnant in the 3./JG 26
 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 26 March 1944 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur  of the I./JG 11
 * 748th Oak Leaves on 19 February 1945 as Major and  Gruppenkommandeur  of the I./JG 11