Osterkamp


		Birthdate: 1965 Enlistment: 17 May 2008 Country: USA Time Zone: Eastern (GMT- 4)
Biography/personal description: Theodor “Theo” Osterkamp was born on 15 April 1892 at Düren in Rheinland. He fought in World War 1 as a naval pilot operating over the Western front. During 1914-1916 he flew with 2 Marine-Fliegerabteilung in Flanders and became the first German pilot to fly a land-based aircraft to England on a reconnaissance-mission. On 15 October 1917 Leutnant Osterkamp took command over Marine-Jagdstaffel 2. He scored a total of 32 victories during World War 1, and was awarded the Pour le Mérite on 2 September 1918. What drew me to this pilot was the fact that he was a two war Ace. He recorded 32 victories during World War 1 and an additional six victories in World War II, making him one of only a few WW1 & WW2 Aces. I also liked the fact that during World War II, at the rank of Generalleutnant, he was dismissed from the Luftwaffe because of his criticism of the German High Command in December 1944. Criticizing organizational structures and superiors decisions is something I have a lot of experience with in real life. The man at the keyboard- I live outside Ann Arbor Michigan, and work in the Automotive Industry. I have had a rabid love affair with anything connected to flying, my entire life. During my lifetime, I have had the opportunity to fly a WW2 Fighter Trainer (Harvard Aircraft), single engine Cessnas as well as a Blanik L23 soarplane and Switzer Glider. My first experience with Red Baron dates back to the early 1990’s. In those days, I had a small 13 inch black and white monochrome monitor and nearly went blind flying single player campaigns on the small screen (joystick in one hand, paper flight map on my knee). I lost contact with the Red Baron game until the release of Red Baron Arcade. I bought the game out of nostalgia and instantly hated it. It did not have any of the feel of the old Red Baron game. I then started searching for a version of the original Red Baron game that would work on my XP machine. That is how I came to find and join Jasta 5 and got involved in on-line flying. Go GreenTails.
Aerial Victories		Ground Victories
Planes	Balloons	Bombing	Recon
7		11

Promoted Flieger - Basic Certification - June '08
	Black Long Service Award - Sept '08 Awarded to a pilot who participates in EVERY practice over a 3 month period.
	Ehrenbecher (Cup of Honour) A special award given from the Rittmeister himself, the Ehrenbecher was designed by Manfred von Richthofen. This award is to be ceremoniously given to each pilot that scores his first kill. Awarded in recognition for the first confirmed aerial victory during RBWL VIII.Awarded in recognition for the first confirmed aerial victory during RBWL VIII.
	Iron Cross 2nd Class The Iron Cross was awarded in three Classes: the Grand Cross ("Grosskreuz") for senior commanders (only 5 awarded), 2nd Class for individual merit in combat (5 million), and the 1st Class for acts of heroism or bravery in combat (1 million). The Eisernes Kreuz all looked the same, it's where you wore them that told the difference: Grand Cross around the neck, 1st Class pinned to the left side of the tunic about two inches above the belt, and for the 2nd Class, you merely wore the ribbon looped through the second button hole in the front of the uniform. The Iron Cross has the distinction of being one of the few Prussian awards handed out to both officers and enlisted men equally - probably because of it's long history as an award for valor. The Iron Cross, 2nd Class, usually came after a few successful missions (for 2-seater pilots) or the first few "kills" for a Kampflieger. Awarded in recognition of the second aerial victory during the same mission.
	Kaiser Wings These badges are awarded to pilots who have satisfactorily and consistently flown in a MMP War Campaign. In recognition for efforts and contributions during RBWL VIII.
Promoted Gefreiter - Intermediate Certification - October '08
	Wilhelm Ernst War Cross - December '08 Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst founded the Wilhelm Ernst War Cross on June 10, 1915. It was awarded without regard to rank, but otherwise had strict requirements: the recipient must have already received the Iron Cross 1st Class. Awarded to a pilot for service and acts which significantly benefit all of the Jagdstaffel. Mission planning and special projects.
	Gold Long Service Award This award was issued for length of service. Awarded in recognition for participation in EVERY mission during Flying Coffins I.
	Kaiser Wings - December '08 These badges are awarded to pilots who have satisfactorily and consistently flown in a MMP War Campaign. In recognition for efforts and contributions during FC 1.