Günter Kuhnke

Günter Kuhnke (7 September 1912 – 11 October 1990) was a German submarine commander during World War II and later a Konteradmiral with the Bundesmarine, West Germany's navy. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany.

Career
Kuhnke commanded the GS U-28 (1936), GS U-125 (1940) and GS U-853, sinking eleven ships on nine patrols, for a total of of Allied shipping plus the special service vessel HMS Prunella. He commanded 10th U-boat Flotilla from January 1942 until October 1944, then 33rd U-boat Flotilla until May 1945.

Kuhnke joined Bundesmarine in 1955. commanded the destroyer Z-2 (D171) (formerly USS Ringgold (DD-500)) from 14 July 1959 until 15 November 1960. In 1966, he was promoted to Konteradmiral (rear admiral) in 1966. Kuhnke retired from service in September 1972.

Awards

 * Wehrmacht Long Service Award, 4th class (2 October 1936)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (29 September 1939)
 * 1st Class (1 October 1939)
 * War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords (30 January 1944)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 19 September 1940 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-28
 * Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (26 June 1969)
 * Grand Merit Cross with Star of the Federal Republic of Germany (30 September 1972)