Gerhard von Kamptz

Kurt Gerhard von Kamptz ( 27 December 1902 – 16 May 1998) was a Kapitän zur See with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and recipient of the coveted Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. 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.

Gerhard von Kamptz was made commander of the Danish island Bornholm on 5 March 1945. Von Kamptz refused to surrender the island to the Soviet forces, having been ordered to surrender to the Western Allies instead. He was taken prisoner of war by the Soviets and released on 1 January 1954.

Awards

 * Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th and 3rd Class
 * Memel Medal (26 October 1939)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (21 May 1940)
 * 1st Class (21 May 1940)
 * Wound Badge (1939) in Black (15 June 1942)
 * Minensuch Kriegsabzeichen
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 6 October 1940 as Korvettenkapitän and chief of the 2. Räumbootflottille
 * 225th Oak Leaves on 14 April 1943 as Fregattenkapitän and chief of the 8. Räumbootsflottille
 * War Merit Cross
 * 2nd Class with Swords (1 September 1944)