Oberst (Colonel) Hans-Ulrich Rudel (2 July 1916 in Konradswaldau – 18 December 1982 in Rosenheim) was a Stuka dive bomber pilot on the eastern front during World War II. He was the most highly decorated German serviceman of the war.
Rudel was one of only 27 military men to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. He was the only person to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. It was Germany's highest military decoration at the time.
After the war he went to South America and helped organize Nazi refugees.