Carl-Heinz Birnbacher

Walter Robert Karl Heinz Birnbacher (26 May 1910 in Villach – 5 December 1991 in Villach) was a German officer in the Kriegsmarine during World War II 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. After World War II he served in the Bundesmarine attaining the rank of Konteradmiral.

Awards

 * Sudetenland Medal (20 September 1940)
 * Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class (20 December 1939)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (9 April 1940)
 * 1st Class (20 April 1940)
 * Wound Badge in Black (15 May 1940)
 * Fast Attack Craft War Badge (16 December 1940)
 * German Cross in Gold (10 November 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 17 June 1940 as Kapitänleutnant and chief of the 1. Schnellbootsflottille
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 9 March 1941
 * Finnish Order of the Cross of Liberty 3rd Class (4 November 1941)
 * Destroyer War Badge (27 April 1943)
 * Großes Bundesverdienstkreuz (September 1970)