Werner Ostendorff

Werner Ostendorff
Allegiance	Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Waffen-SS
Years of service	1925-1945
Rank	SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS
Commands held	17. SS-Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen 2. SS-Division Das Reich
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (posthumously)

Werner Ostendorff, (born 15 August 1903 in Königsberg; died 4 May 1945 in Bad Aussee) was an SS-Gruppenführer (Lieutenant General) and one of the youngest divisional commanders in the Waffen-SS. Ostendorff was also a winner of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and German Cross in gold.

Summary of SS career

Dates of rank

• Schütze: November 2, 1925
• Offizieranwärter: April 1, 1926
• Gefreiter: August 1, 1927
• Unteroffizier: October 1, 1927
• Fähnrich: August 1, 1928
• Oberfähnrich: August 1, 1929
• Leutnant: June 1, 1930
• Oberleutnant: July 1, 1933
• Obersturmführer: October 1, 1935
• SS-Hauptsturmführer: January 30, 1938
• SS-Sturmbannführer: June 1, 1939
• SS-Obersturmbannführer: December 13, 1940
• SS-Standartenführer: March 1, 1942
• SS-Oberführer: April 20, 1943
• SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS: April 20, 1944
• SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS: December 1, 1944

Notable decorations

• German Cross in Gold (1942)
• Eastern Front Medal (1942)
• Iron Cross Second (1930) and First (1940) Classes
• SS-Honour Ring (?)
• Sudetenland Medal (?)
• Knight's Cross (1941)
• Oak Leaves (1945)
• Pilot's Badge
• General Assault Badge
• Wound Badge

Notes

NSDAP #: 4 691 488 - (Joined 1 May 1937)
SS #: 257 146 - (Joined, 1 October 1935)

References

• Yerger, Mark C. - Waffen-SS Commanders: Army, Corps, and Divisional Leaders, Vol.2 - Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military History, 1999