Max Valentiner
| Christian August Max Ahlmann Valentiner | |
|---|---|
Max Valentiner
|
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| Born |
15 December 1883 Tondern, Kingdom of Prussia |
| Died | 19 July 1949 (aged 65) Sønderborg, Denmark |
| Allegiance | |
| Service/branch | |
| Years of service |
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| Rank | Kapitän zur See |
| Commands held | |
| Battles/wars | U-boat Campaign (World War I) |
| Awards | |
Captain Christian August Max Ahlmann Valentiner (December 15, 1883 – July 19, 1949) was a German U-boat commander during World War I. He was the third highest-scoring U-boat commander of the war, and was awarded the Pour le Mérite for his achievements.
He was also branded a war criminal by the Allies, for killing hundreds of civilians by sinking the passenger liner Persia without warning on December 30, 1915, contrary to international law.
The eldest of the four children of Otto Friedrich Valentiner and Mathilde Julie Valentiner, Valentiner was born in Tondern (Tønder), Province of Schleswig-Holstein.
In 1882, the family moved to Ketting on Als where his father held a job as a priest for two years, then moving to Sonderburg (Sønderborg). Valentiner started his time in school in Ketting, then Augustenburg (Augustenborg) and later in Sonderburg on Reimers school.
At the age of 18, he joined the Imperial German Navy of the German Empire on April 1, 1902, as a Seekadett on the school ship Moltke. On August 15, 1902, he saved a ship's boy from drowning in Swinemünde's harbor, and received his first of many decorations, the Rettungsmedaille (life-saving medal).
In 1903, Valentiner joined the naval school where he attended many courses, especially in diving, his preferred topic. He ended his training on the Hansa. On May 14, 1903, he saved an able seaman in Heligoland harbour from the waves and certain death, and was awarded the Order of the Crown Medal for his courage and valour in action.
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