As the last German officer with the rank of Großadmiral (grand admiral), he was honoured by many former servicemen and foreign naval officers who came to pay their respects at his funeral on 6 January 1981.
Sebagai perwira Jerman terakhir dengan pangkat Laksamana Besar, dia mendapat penghormatan dari begitu banyak veteran perang dan perwira angkatan laut asing yang datang ke upacara pemakamannya tanggal 6 Januari 1981.