Gustav R%C3%B6del
Oberst Gustav Rdel was a German World War II Luftwaffe fighter ace. He scored all but one of his 98 victories against the Western Allies in over 980 combat missions whilst flying the Messerschmitt Bf 109. He was also a recipient of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves . The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He often said to the men under his command You are fighter pilots first, last, always. If I ever hear of any of you shooting at someone in a parachute, Ill shoot you myself.
Gustav Rdel was born onOctober 1915 in Merseburg, Saxony. He joined the Luftwaffe with the rank of Fahnenjunker in 1936, and underwent fighter pilot training. Rdel participated in the Spanish Civil War with the Condor Legion, serving with Jagdgruppe 88. He was awarded the Spanish Cross in Bronze with Swords for his achievements in Spain.
Source: Wikipedia