# Wilhelm Keitel

> German field marshal (1882–1946)

**Wikidata**: [Q76361](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76361)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Keitel)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wilhelm-keitel

## Summary
Wilhelm Keitel was a German field marshal and high-ranking military officer who served as the head of the Armed Forces High Command (OKW) during World War II. Born in 1882 and executed in 1946, he is historically significant for his role in the Nazi German military hierarchy and for signing the unconditional surrender of German forces, for which he was later convicted of war crimes.

## Biography
- **Born**: September 22, 1882
- **Nationality**: Germany (Citizenship: Q183)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Serving as a German field marshal and head of the Armed Forces High Command (OKW) during World War II
- **Employer(s)**: German military forces (German Empire, Weimar Republic, Nazi Germany)
- **Field(s)**: Military leadership, Politics, Soldiering

## Contributions
Wilhelm Keitel's primary contributions were in the realm of military command and administration during the German conflicts of the 20th century.
- **Military Leadership (1901–1945)**: Keitel served in the German armed forces from 1901 until the end of World War II in 1945. He held the rank of general field marshal, a position of high authority within the German and Austrian military history context.
- **Armed Forces High Command (OKW)**: As a central figure in the Nazi regime's military structure, he led the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, coordinating the operations of the army, navy, and air force.
- **World War I Service**: He served as a military personnel member during the global conflict originating in Europe from 1914 to 1918.
- **World War II Command**: He played a pivotal role in the 1939–1945 global conflict, acting as a senior commander and politician within the Nazi government structure.
- **Surrender Documentation**: His work period concluded in 1945, marking the end of his active service and the conclusion of the war in Europe.

## FAQs
**What was Wilhelm Keitel's highest military rank?**
Wilhelm Keitel achieved the rank of general field marshal, a high military rank used throughout German and Austrian history. This designation placed him among the most senior officers in the German armed forces during his service.

**Which major global conflicts did Wilhelm Keitel participate in?**
Keitel served as military personnel during both World War I (1914–1918) and World War II (1939–1945). His career spanned these two major global conflicts originating in Europe.

**What awards did Wilhelm Keitel receive during his career?**
He received numerous decorations, including the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the Golden Party Badge, the War Merit Cross (Brunswick), the Friedrich-August-Kreuz, the Clasp to the Iron Cross, the Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918, the Anschluss Medal, and the Memel Medal. These awards recognized his service in both world wars and his political alignment with the Nazi Party.

**When did Wilhelm Keitel's military career begin and end?**
His work period as a military officer and politician started in 1901 and concluded in 1945. He was born in 1882 and died in 1946, shortly after the end of his active service.

**What was Wilhelm Keitel's full name?**
His full name was Wilhelm Bodewin Johann Gustav Keitel. This name is recorded in various historical and academic databases under his primary identity.

## Why They Matter
Wilhelm Keitel matters as a central figure in the military administration of Nazi Germany, representing the highest level of command within the Wehrmacht during World War II. His tenure as head of the Armed Forces High Command placed him at the nexus of strategic decision-making and the execution of military orders during one of history's most destructive conflicts. The historical record of his life, including his execution in 1946, serves as a critical case study in the accountability of military leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity. His career trajectory, from the German Empire through the Weimar Republic to the Third Reich, illustrates the transformation of the German military establishment in the 20th century.

## Notable For
- **Rank**: Holding the title of general field marshal, a prestigious rank in German military history.
- **Awards**: Receiving the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the highest military award of Nazi Germany.
- **Political Affiliation**: Being awarded the Golden Party Badge for being among the first 100,000 members of the Nazi Party.
- **Service**: Serving in the military during both World War I and World War II.
- **Leadership**: Leading the Armed Forces High Command (OKW) during the Second World War.
- **Execution**: Being executed on October 16, 1946, following his conviction for war crimes.
- **Decorations**: Receiving the Clasp to the Iron Cross for service in both world wars.
- **Commemorative Medals**: Being awarded the Anschluss Medal and Memel Medal for supporting territorial expansions.
- **Longevity**: Serving in the German military for over 40 years, from 1901 to 1945.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Wilhelm Keitel was born on September 22, 1882. His full name was Wilhelm Bodewin Johann Gustav Keitel. He was a citizen of Germany, a country located in Central Europe. He was an instance of a human and a German field marshal. His life spanned from 1882 to 1946. He is identified in various databases with the Wikidata ID Q159707 and the GND ID 118721577.

### Military Career and Service Periods
Keitel's professional life as a soldier and military officer began in 1901. He served in the German military forces, which existed under different political entities throughout his career, including the German Empire, the North German Confederation, the Weimar Republic, and Nazi Germany. His work period ended in 1945. He held the rank of general field marshal, a position of significant authority. He was also categorized as a politician, military officer, and soldier.

### World War I Service
During the First World War (1914–1918), Keitel served as military personnel. For his service during this conflict, he received several awards. He was awarded the War Merit Cross (Brunswick), a military decoration of the Duchy of Brunswick for non-combatants. He also received the Friedrich-August-Kreuz, an award of the German Grand Duchy of Oldenburg for outstanding service during the First World War. Additionally, he was awarded the Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918, which recognized participants and surviving dependants of the war.

### Interwar Period and Nazi Rise
Following the war, Keitel continued his service through the Weimar Republic era. As the political landscape shifted to the Nazi regime, he became a prominent figure. He was awarded the Golden Party Badge, a special Nazi Party award given to the first 100,000 party members, indicating his early and significant political alignment. He also received the Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 in its Nazi Germany iteration.

### World War II and High Command
During World War II (1939–1945), Keitel served as a high-ranking commander. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the highest military award of Nazi Germany. He also received the Clasp to the Iron Cross, a courage award for soldiers who had already received the Iron Cross in the First World War. His role involved leading the Armed Forces High Command (OKW). He was involved in the conflicts designated as Q361 and Q362. He was also awarded the Anschluss Medal, a non-military commemorative medal for persons who supported the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany, introduced on May 1, 1938. He received the Memel Medal, another medal in Nazi Germany, introduced on May 1, 1939.

### Death and Legacy
Wilhelm Keitel died on October 16, 1946. His death marked the end of a career that spanned the German Empire, the Weimar Republic, and the Third Reich. He is remembered as a German field marshal who played a central role in the military leadership of Nazi Germany. His life and actions are documented in numerous historical records, including the Bundesarchiv (Federal Archives), which holds the image "Bundesarchiv Bild 183-H30220, Wilhelm Keitel.jpg".

### Awards and Recognition Summary
Throughout his life, Keitel received a wide array of military and political decorations. These included:
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (inception: 1939)
- Golden Party Badge (inception: 1933)
- War Merit Cross (Brunswick) (inception: 1914)
- Friedrich-August-Kreuz (inception: 1914)
- Clasp to the Iron Cross (inception: 1939)
- Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (inception: 1934)
- Anschluss Medal (inception: 1938)
- Memel Medal (inception: 1939)

### Identification and Archives
Keitel is identified by numerous unique identifiers across global databases. These include:
- **Wikidata**: Q159707
- **GND**: 118721577
- **ISNI**: 0000000109160711
- **VIAF**: 74027425
- **LCCN**: n79114250
- **BnF**: 136160786
- **IMDB**: nm0445198
- **Commons Category**: Wilhelm Keitel
- **Open Library**: OL299122A
- **NLA**: 35879595
- **BNF**: 066954932
- **NLI**: 987007274815305171
- **WorldCat**: 118721577

His signature is preserved as "Wilhelm Keitel signature.svg". He is the subject of a Wikipedia article titled "Wilhelm Keitel". His life is documented in the "Biography" section of various historical archives, including the Deutsche Biographie (PE00557983) and the German National Library.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. Catalog of the German National Library
3. Source
4. I was the Nuremberg jailer (1st American edition)
5. Integrated Authority File
6. BnF authorities
7. Find a Grave
8. TracesOfWar
9. Q106825045
10. International Standard Name Identifier
11. Open Library
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. CiNii Research
14. [Source](https://kalliope-verbund.info/DE-611-BF-116300)
15. Croatian Encyclopedia
16. Munzinger Personen
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. Nuremberg Trials Project
19. Norwegian Authority File: Persons and Corporate Bodies
20. CONOR.SI
21. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
22. Enciclopedia Treccani
23. Nuremberg trials