Quick Facts
Biography
Oberleutnant Stefan Kirmaier was a World War I flying ace credited with eleven aerial victories.
Kirmaier began World War I as an infantryman. After transferring into aviation, he was posted to FAA 203 in 1915 and early 1916. He was then attached to KEK Jametz, and scored his first three victories during July 1916. On 5 October, he was moved up to fly a fighter in Jasta 2 under the command of Oswald Boelcke. Kirmaier then scored four wins between 17 and 26 October. On 28 October 1916, Boelcke was killed in action, and Kirmaier was entrusted with command of the squadron. While in command, he scored four more victories, all in November. On 22 November, Kirmaier died in action from a bullet through the head fired by either John Oliver Andrews or Kelvin Crawford. Kirmaier was also awarded the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern on the 22nd.