[Doug Stankey]

This is what we have on Oesau:

OESAU, Walter.
Nickname: “Gulle”.
(DOB: 28.06.13 in Farnewinkel/Holstein).
(RES, DKG).
1933 joined the army, assigned to an artillery rgt.
1934 promo to Fahnenjunker and undertook flying training at a DVS.
1936 assigned to I./JG 132.
20.04.37 promo to Lt.
04.38 volunteered for the Legion Condor in Spain (to c.02.39).

(dates unknown) with J/88.
01.03.39 trf to Stab I./JG 2 (sic).
06.6.39 Oblt., awarded the Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Brillanten.
15.07.39 Oblt., temporary trf JG 2 to I./JG 20 and appt Staka 1./JG 20 (to 04.07.40).
04.07.40 appt Staka 7./JG 51 (to 24.08.40).
19.07.40 promo to Hptm.
20.08.40 Hptm., awarded Ritterkreuz, Staka 7./JG 51.
25.08.40 Hptm., appt Kdr. III./JG 51 (to 10.11.40).
11.11.40 Hptm., appt Kdr. III./JG 3 (to 28.07.41).
06.02.41 Hptm., awarded Eichenlaub, Kdr. III./JG 3.
15.07.41 Hptm., awarded Schwerter, Kdr. III./JG 3 and promo to Maj..
01.08.41 Maj., appt Kommodore JG 2 (to 18.06.43).
01.02.43 promo to Obstlt.
22.06.43 Obstlt., appt Jagdfliegerführer 4 (Lfl. 3) (to 01.09.43).
17.10.43 Obstlt., awarded DKG, Jafü 4.
12.11.43 Obstlt., appt Kommodore JG 1 (to 11.05.44 KIA - shot down by P-38 Lightnings over St.-Vith in the Eifel).
10.01.44 awarded DKG.
01.05.44 posthumous promo to Oberst.
Credited with 125 air victories in some 300 combat missions.


This isn’t a full biography, by any means, but it is a framework of his career.


LdZ
DGS