Hans Grünberg

Hans "Specker" Grünberg (8 July 1917 – 16 January 1998) was a German military aviator who served in the Luftwaffe during World War II. As a fighter ace, he was credited with 82, aerial victories—that is, 82 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft—claimed in approximately 550 combat missions. The majority of his victories were claimed over the Eastern Front, with 21 claims over the Western Front, including five flying the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter.

Born in Gross-Fahlenwerder, Grünberg served in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany. Following flight training, he was posted to ''Jagdgeschwader'' 3 "Udet" (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) in 1942, operating on the Eastern Front. He claimed his first aerial victory on 19 August 1942. On 9 May 1944, Grünberg was appointed ''Staffelkapitän'' (squadron leader) of 5. ''Staffel'' (5th squadron) of JG 3 and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 June 1944. In January 1945, Grünberg was posted to ''Jagdgeschwader'' 7 "Nowotny" (JG 7—7th Fighter Wing), the first jet fighter wing where he served as a ''Staffelkapitän'' of 1. ''Staffel''. He died on 16 January 1998 in Ellerau. Provided by Wikipedia