Karl Smidt

Karl Ernst Smidt (30 August 1903 – 11 January 1984) was a Kapitän zur See with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and later a Konteradmiral with the Bundesmarine. 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. Smidt was a member of the Confessing Church. From 1961 to 1963 he was the NATO Commander-in-Chief of the German Fleet of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, i.e. the "Flag Officer Germany" of the NATO (CINCGERFLEET).

Early life and pre-war service
Smidt was born in Neuenhaus, district of Grafschaft Bentheim, in the Province of Hanover on 30 August 1903, the son of pastor Reinhard Petrus Wolbertus Smidt. He began his naval career with the Reichsmarine on 31 March 1922 as a member "Crew 1922" (the incoming class of 1922) after graduation from the humanistische Gymnasium (humanities-oriented secondary school) in Hameln with his Abitur (diploma). Smidt married Ruth Kühl in 1930. The marriage produced two daughters and a son, Antje, Wolbert K., former director of the Federal Intelligence Service (Bundesnachrichtendienst) and Hilke. Smidt joined the Confessing Church (Bekennende Kirche) with pastor Hermann Steen in Holthusen, district of Weener, after making an official visit to the Emsland-concentration camp Esterwegen near Papenburg in 1935.

Awards

 * Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th and 3rd Class (2 October 1936)
 * Spanish Cross in Bronze with Swords (6 June 1939)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (6 November 1939)
 * 1st Class (8 December 1939)
 * Destroyer War Badge (1939) (19 October 1940)
 * Narvik Shield (16 November 1940)
 * Officer of the Order of the Crown of Italy (11 March 1941)
 * German Cross in Gold on 20 November 1941 as Korvettenkapitän on Z27/8. Zerstörer-Flottille
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 15 June 1943 as Kapitän zur See and commander of Z27
 * Commander Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (14 August 1963)