Ernst-Felix Krüder

Ernst-Felix Krüder (6 December 1897 – 8 May 1941) was a Captain (German: Kapitän zur See) of the German Navy (Kriegsmarine) who, during World War II, commanded a merchant raider. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). 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.

Ernst-Felix Krüder was killed in action when on 8 May 1941, auxiliary cruiser "Pinguin" (HSK 5) was sunk by HMS Cornwall. 532 persons, among them 200 prisoners, were lost with the ship.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1914) 2nd and 1st Class
 * Gallipoli Star (Türkischer Eiserner Halbmond) (23 January 1918)
 * Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (30 August 1940)
 * 1st Class (11 October 1940)
 * Kriegsabzeichen für Hilfskreuzer
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross (22 December 1940)
 * 40th Oak Leaves on 15 November 1941 (posthumous) as Kapitän zur See and commander of auxiliary cruiser "Pinguin" (HSK 5)
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 26 June 1941