Friedrich Kemnade

Friedrich Walter Karl Kemnade (12 December 1911 – 29 January 2008) was a Korvettenkapitän with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and later served with the Bundesmarine. He was a recipient of the coveted Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuz 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.

Career
Friedrich Kemnade was born on 12 December 1911 in Schwarmstedt in the dirstrict of Fallingbostel near Hanover, Germany. After he received his Abitur (diploma) he joined the military services of the Reichsmarine on 1 April 1931 as a Naval Officer candidate.

Kemnade joined the newly formed Bundesmarine (Federal Navy) on 1 April 1956 as a Fregattenkapitän (Commander) and became a Naval-Administrator on the staff of the German Military Representative to NATO Military Committee in Washington, D.C.. He received the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Großes Verdienstkreuz des Bundesverdienstordens) for his long service and contributions to the Bundeswehr in September 1970.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (30 April 1940)
 * 1st Class (24 December 1940)
 * Olympic Games Decoration (1936)
 * Wound Badge in Black (20 September 1940)
 * Fast Attack Craft War Badge (11 March 1941)
 * German Cross in Gold on 2 February 1942 as Kapitänleutnant in the 3. Schnellbootflottille
 * 3 Medaglia d'Argento al Valore Militare
 * 1st time on 21 May 1942
 * 2nd time on 24 January 1943
 * 3rd time in 1943
 * High Seas Fleet Badge (2 January 1943)
 * Cuffband "Afrika" (12 October 1943)
 * Croce di Guerra al Valor Militare (17 March 1943)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 23 July 1942 as Kapitänleutnant and chief of the 3. Schnellbootflottille
 * 249th Oak Leaves on 27 May 1943 as Korvettenkapitän and chief of the 3. Schnellbootflottille
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 18 June 1942
 * Great Cross of Merit (September 1970)