Grand Admiral
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The rank of Grand Admiral has also appeared in science fiction literature, most notable the Star Wars Expanded Universe where the rank is held by Grand Admiral Thrawn.
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German Grand Admiral Sleeve Insignia
In the German Navy the rank of Grand Admiral (Großadmiral) was considered the highest Naval rank. The position was the equivalent of an Admiral of the Fleet or a United States Fleet Admiral.
World War I
Before and during the World War I, the following men were made Grand Admirals of the German Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial Navy):
| • | Hans von Koester | 28 June 1905, |
| • | Prinz Heinrich von Preußen | 4 September 1909, |
| • | Alfred von Tirpitz | 27 January 1911, |
| • | Henning von Holtzendorff | 31 May 1918. |
World War II
Before and during the World War II, the following men were made Grand Admirals of the German Kriegsmarine:
- Erich Raeder was made a Grand Admiral on 1 April 1939
- Karl Dönitz, Commander of the U-Boat Fleet and later successor to Adolf Hitler was made a Grand Admiral on January 30 , 1943 after succeeding Raeder as the Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine.
The Kriegsmarine also used the rank of General Admiral (Generaladmiral) which was considered senior to a full Admiral, but junior to a Grand Admiral.