| Rudolf "Rudi" Schmidt | |
| Birth Date: | 15 March 1914 |
| Birth Place: | Plauen |
| Death Place: | Esslingen |
| Nickname: | "Rudi" |
| Allegiance: | (to 1933) |
| Branch: | Reichsmarine (1932–35) Kriegsmarine (1935–?) Luftwaffe (?–1945) |
| Serviceyears: | 1932–45 |
| Rank: | Major |
| Commands: | II./Kampfgeschwader 26 |
| Unit: | Jagdgruppe 88 Kampfgeschwader 26 |
| Battles: | Spanish Civil War World War II |
| Awards: | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Rudolf "Rudi" Schmidt (15 March 1914 – 23 February 2000) was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Despite being half Jewish, or Mischling under the Nuremberg Laws, Schmidt enlisted in the Luftwaffe and served with distinction.[1] [2]
. Walther-Peer Fellgiebel . 2000 . 1986 . Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile . The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches . German . Friedberg, Germany . Podzun-Pallas . 978-3-7909-0284-6.