Hans-Jürgen Hellriegel

Hans-Jürgen Hellriegel (16 June 1917 – 2 July 1944) was a Kapitänleutnant with the Kriegsmarine during World War II. He sailed with GS U-140 (1940), GS U-96 (1940) and GS U-543, sinking three ships on seven patrols, for a total of 10.969 tons of Allied shipping. He was also a 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.

Hellriegel and the entire crew of U-543 were killed by depth charges and a homing torpedo from TBF Avenger aircraft (VC-58) of the US escort carrier USS Wake Island (CVE-65) on 2 July 1944.

Ships attacked
As a U-boat commander of GS U-140 (1940), GS U-96 (1940) and GS U-543 Hans-Jürgen Hellriegel is credited with the sinking of 3 merchant ships for a total of, a warship of and damaging two ships of.

Awards

 * U-boat War Badge (1939) (24 April 1940)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (26 April 1940)
 * 1st Class (3 July 1940)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 3 February 1944 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-543