Fritz Dinger (20 August 1915 – 27 July 1943) was born into an aristocratic German family. Fritz enlisted into the German Luftwaffe in 1939 and would later end up becoming an ace. Fritz was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Oberleutnant Dinger fought in my battles and was known for his honor and gallantry in Jagdgeschwader 53. On July 1, 1943 Dinger was promoted to Hauptmann. Fritz Dinger was killed on 27 July 1943 during an Allied bombing raid of Scalea, Italy. Dinger was credited with 67 victories in 600+ missions. Promotions 1 May 1939 Unteroffizier (Luftwaffe) 1 August 1939 Feldwebel (Luftwaffe) 1 November 1940 Leutnant (Luftwaffe) 1 January 1943 Oberleutnant (Luftwaffe) 1 July 1943 Hauptmann (Luftwaffe) Awards Pilot's Badge of the Luftwaffe August 1, 1939 - as a Feldwebel Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class 1st Class Wound Badge in Black (1939) August 16, 1940 WIA - Bf 109 E-3 in combat 50 km N of Cherbourg, ditched in the Channel. Day Fighter Pilot's Clasp in Gold December 1, 1942 as an Oberleutnant and Staffelführer of 4. / Jagdgeschwader 53 "Pik As." Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 26 October 1942 as Leutnant and pilot German Cross in Gold on 5 November 1942 as Leutnant in the I./Jagdgeschwader 53 "Pik As" Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 23 December 1942 as Oberleutnant and Staffelführer of the 4. /Jagdgeschwader 53 "Pik As" References Citations Bibliography External links TracesOfWar.com Aces of the Luftwaffe 1915 births 1943 deaths Luftwaffe pilots German World War II flying aces Recipients of the Gold German Cross Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Luftwaffe personnel killed in World War II Deaths by airstrike during World War II People from Neunkirchen (German district) Military personnel from Saarland