Rudolf Rettberg

Rudolf Rettberg (25 November 1916 — 28 October 1981) was a Sturmbannführer (Major) in the Waffen-SS during World War II. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Rudolf Rettberg was born on the 25 November 1916, in Bremerhaven' During World War II he volunteered to join the SS-VT. He was commander of the 5th Company, 9th SS Panzer Regiment then took over command of the II.Battalion, 9th SS Panzer Regiment (9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen. He was awarded the German Cross in Gold and the Knight's Cross near the end of the war on the 6 May 1945.

It was awarded by Oberstgruppenführer Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (General), in what became known as Dietrich awards, who had the authority to make these awards through authorisation of the Heerespersonalamt of 22.4.1945 and 3.5.1945.

Rettberg survived the war and died on the 28 October 1981, in Bogota Colombia.