Hans Heinrich Koenig

Hans-Heinrich Koenig (23 July 1920 – 24 May 1944) was a World War II German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, an award conferred in recognition of extreme battlefield bravery or distinguished military leadership. He was killed on 24 May 1944 during defensive operations over Germany, when his Fw 190 was destroyed by fire from an American bomber that he was attacking. Koenig's disintegrating fighter impacted with the bomber, and both aircraft went down over Kaltenkirchen. Koenig was posthumously promoted to Hauptmann and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 19 August 1944. During his career he was credited with 28 aerial victories, all of which were over the Western Front.