Paul Brasack

Paul Brasack (9 May 1916 – 11 March 2013) was a Kapitänleutnant with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and commander of U-737. He was born in Stettin. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
As commander Brasack was not credited with sinking any ships. His U-boat was part of a wolf pack which operated against Convoy JW 56A and Convoy JW 56B. He fired at the destroyer HMS Milne on 31 January 1944, but missed, the torpedo exploded in the destroyers wake. His actions against the convoys pulled off the escorting destroyers enabling other U-boats of his wolf pack to attack. For these actions he was awarded the Knight's Cross.
Following World War II, Brasack joined the Bundesmarine of the Federal Republic of Germany on 1 October 1957. He commanded the destroyer Zerstörer 2 (D171) (formerly USS Ringgold (DD-500)) from September 1962 until March 1964. From 15 September 1968 to 1 September 1971 he served as naval attaché at the German Embassy in Washington, D.C..

Awards

• Observation Badge (28 February 1940)
• Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Combat Pilots in Gold
• Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (24 June 1941)
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (May 1940)
  • 1st Class (November 1940)
• U-boat War Badge (1939) (24 September 1942)
• U-boat Front Clasp in Silver
  • in Bronze (28 October 1944)
  • in Silver (24 March 1945)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 October 1944 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-737
• Legion of Merit (10 October 1972)

Promotions