caption branch commands death_date death_place birth_place allegiance unit awards battles birth_date nickname alt rank image article_title name
ulrich wernitz 18px 3 . / jg 54 23 december 1980 fürstenfeldbruck schweinitz/herzberg nazi germany -lrb- to 1945 -rrb- west germany jg 54 knight 's cross of the iron cross world war ii 21 january 1921 '' pipifax '' '' '' luftwaffe '' -lrb- '' wehrmacht '' -rrb- 18px luftwaffe '' -lrb- '' wehrmacht '' -rrb- 18px leutnant oberstleutnant ulrich wernitz.jpg ulrich wernitz
 ulrich wernitz
ulrich wernitz

ulrich wernitz -lrb- 21 january 1921 -- 23 december 1980 -rrb- was a `` luftwaffe '' flying ace of world war ii .
a flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat .
wernitz was credited with 101 aerial victories -- that is , 101 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft -- claimed in roughly 240 combat missions .
he served in the post world war ii german air force of the federal republic of germany , retiring with the rank of `` oberstleutnant '' -lrb- lieutenant colonel -rrb- .
