Rudolf Schmidt (Major)

Nickname"Rudi"

Born15 March 1914

Plauen

Died23 February 2000(2000-02-23) (aged 85)

Esslingen

Allegiance Weimar Republic (to 1933)
Nazi Germany

Rudolf "Rudi" Schmidt
Nickname	"Rudi"
Born	15 March 1914 Plauen
Died	23 February 2000(2000-02-23) (aged 85) Esslingen
Allegiance	Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany
Branch	Reichsmarine (1932–35) Kriegsmarine (1935–?) Luftwaffe (?–1945)
Service years	1932–45
Rank	Major
Unit	Jagdgruppe 88 Kampfgeschwader 26
Commands	II./Kampfgeschwader 26
Conflicts	Spanish Civil War World War II Invasion of Poland Norwegian Campaign Battle of France Battle of Britain Invasion of Yugoslavia Operation Barbarossa Siege of Sevastopol (1941–1942) Battle of the Mediterranean
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Rudolf "Rudi" Schmidt (15 March 1914 – 23 February 2000) was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Despite being half Jewish, or Mischling under the Nuremberg Laws, Schmidt enlisted in the Luftwaffe and served with distinction.^[1][2]