German Statesman. He served in various high offices in the West German government from 1969 to 1979 including a stint as Chancellor for a short period in 1974. As a boy, he witnessed street clashes between communists and nationalists during the 1920s. He attended secondary school in Solingen, and after graduating in 1938 became an apprentice at a local merchant bank. In 1939, as World War II began, he was drafted into military service and was assigned to the Luftwaffe. He became a fighter pilot who attained the rank of first lieutenant and who, in action over France and Russia, shot down four Allied combat planes. He was decorated with two Iron Crosses for his service. He joined the Free Democratic party after the war and rose through the party ranks. In 1953 he was elected to the Bundestag. In 1961 he became a part of Chancellor Konrad Adenauer's government after his party joined the ruling Christian Democrats in a coalition. In 1969 he became foreign minister and vice chancellor after his Free Democrats joined new Social Democratic Chancellor Willy Brandt. As foreign minister, he helped to foster closer ties with the Soviet Union, East Germany, and other nations of the Eastern Bloc and was nominated for the 1971 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in this area. In 1974 he became chancellor for a brief period after Willy Brandt was forced to resign. After Helmut Schmidt was elected chancellor, he was elected to the ceremonial post of president, where he served until retiring from political life in 1979. After his political retirement, he continued to serve in areas outside of government.
German Statesman. He served in various high offices in the West German government from 1969 to 1979 including a stint as Chancellor for a short period in 1974. As a boy, he witnessed street clashes between communists and nationalists during the 1920s. He attended secondary school in Solingen, and after graduating in 1938 became an apprentice at a local merchant bank. In 1939, as World War II began, he was drafted into military service and was assigned to the Luftwaffe. He became a fighter pilot who attained the rank of first lieutenant and who, in action over France and Russia, shot down four Allied combat planes. He was decorated with two Iron Crosses for his service. He joined the Free Democratic party after the war and rose through the party ranks. In 1953 he was elected to the Bundestag. In 1961 he became a part of Chancellor Konrad Adenauer's government after his party joined the ruling Christian Democrats in a coalition. In 1969 he became foreign minister and vice chancellor after his Free Democrats joined new Social Democratic Chancellor Willy Brandt. As foreign minister, he helped to foster closer ties with the Soviet Union, East Germany, and other nations of the Eastern Bloc and was nominated for the 1971 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in this area. In 1974 he became chancellor for a brief period after Willy Brandt was forced to resign. After Helmut Schmidt was elected chancellor, he was elected to the ceremonial post of president, where he served until retiring from political life in 1979. After his political retirement, he continued to serve in areas outside of government.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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