Erwin Clausen
Erwin Clausen was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Clausen was credited with 132 aerial victoriesthat is, 132 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraftwith some unconfirmed victories in 561 combat missions.
Clausen was born onAugust 1911 in BerlinSteglitz, the son of a joiner. Before joining military service he worked in his fathers company. He joined the Reichsmarine, the German Navy during the Weimar Republic, in 1931. During his service with the Reichsmarine he went on cruises on board of Hessen and the school ship Gorch Fock. He then transferred to the Luftwaffe of the Third Reich as an Unteroffizier in 1935 to receive flying training.
Source: Wikipedia