Klaus Mietusch

Who was Klaus Mietusch?

Klaus Mietusch was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. Mietusch claimed 75 victories during his combat career but died at the hands of an American P-51 pilot in September 1944 and was posthumously awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross on 18 November 1944. According to JG 26 historian Donald Caldwell, Mietusch was shot down nine previous times and was wounded at least four times. He was said never to have turned down a mission, and he had logged an incredible 452 combat sorties at the time of his death.