Andrejs Freimanis

Andrejs Freimanis was an Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant) in the Waffen SS during World War II, who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize great battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Andrejs Freimanis was born on 21 December 1914 in Grobiņa, Latvia.

World War II

During World War II, he volunteered for the Waffen SS after Operation Barbarossa.

He served with the 13th Company, 44th Waffen Grenadier Regiment of SS, 19th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (2nd Latvian).

He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in May 1945, while in command of the 13th Company, when the Division formed the right wing of the VI SS Army Corps during the fighting in the Courland pocket.

Although he not received his Knight's cross, because of German capitulation on May 8.

Post war

Andrejs Freimanis survived the war and ensuing Soviet captivity and died in his hometown of Grobiņa on 10 September 1994.

He received his Knight's Cross in 1993 from German government. The Latvian Navy Band and an honor company from the Latvian Land Forces were at the funeral.

Awards

• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
• Iron Cross I Class
• Iron Cross II Class

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