1943. Korvettenkapitän Ernst Kals, chief of the 2nd U-boat Flotilla at Lorient, sent a letter to Hartenstein's parents on 23 April 1943 indicating that their son had been posted as missing in action as of 12 March 1943. U.S. officials announced the destruction of the U-boat on 10 May 1943. Ten months after his death a service of remembrance was held in Plauen on 15 January 1944. The service was attended by his parents, his sisters and other members of the family, the mayor of Plauen, Eugen Wörner, senior officials and councillors. The local press reported that "His parents have accepted that their loving son will not return home but is resting in peace with his Lord." Werner Hartenstein was portrayed by German actor Ken Duken in the 2011 TV mini-series The Sinking of the Laconia. Awards Spanish Cross in Bronze (6 June 1939) The Return of Memel Commemorative Medal (26 October 1939) Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (16 November 1939) 1st Class (27 April 1940) The Return of Sudetenland Commemorative Medal of 1 October 1938 (6 November 1940) Destroyer War Badge (24 December 1940) German Cross in Gold on 2 February 1942 as Kapitänleutnant on torpedo boat Jaguar/6. Torbedoboots-Flottille U-boat War Badge (1939) (17 March 1942) Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 17 September 1942 as Korvettenkapitän and commander of U-156 Notes Translation notes References Citations Bibliography 1908 births 1943 deaths People from Plauen People from the Kingdom of Saxony Reichsmarine personnel U-boat commanders (Kriegsmarine) German military personnel of the Spanish Civil War Recipients of the Gold German Cross Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Kriegsmarine personnel killed in World War II People lost at sea Missing in action of World War II Deaths by airstrike during World War II Military personnel from Saxony