German Sailors Render Extraordinary Honors to US at Sea

German Embassy, Washington DC ^ | September 15, 2003 | German Embassy to the United States

[Murtyo]

Military vessels routinely render honors to military ships of other countries when they pass at sea by dipping their flag, as a sign of respect. The German frigate FGS Niedersachsen went above and beyond this normal gesture of respect when it asked to come alongside the USS Doyle on September 11, 2003, the second anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the US. On this day, as the two ships approached and passed, the entire crew of the German vessel stood top-side in full dress uniforms, holding their hats over their hearts. And as the ultimate gesture of respect, the FGS Niedersachsen was flying the United States flag from its main mast. A US Naval Officer, in an email that also reached the German Embassy in Washington, told of how touched the US crew were by the “classy and emotional” presentation by their German counterparts.

In an interview on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered on September 14, Commander Bernd Kuhbier of the FGS Niedersachsen explained this extraordinary act. “When you are on a warship, you don't fly a foreign flag on the top mast,” Commander Kuhbier told host Steve Inskeep. “But we thought the occasion was suitable to do that, so that's what we did. We were proud to do so.”

The unexpected gesture touched the US sailors, Vice Admiral Timothy LaFleur described in an unclassified email: “From their main mast they flew our flag and they held their covers over their hearts. Needless to say, the whole crew was choked up and a few tears formed in our eyes. Both ships stayed next to each other in silence for about 5 minutes. These are the days that remind me why I joined the Navy.”

The FGS Niedersachsen and the USS Doyle are both part of NATO’s Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT), a permanent peacetime multinational naval squadron composed of destroyers, cruisers and frigates from the navies of various NATO nations.

[Murtyo]

Nicely surprised to see this. Some aspect of German society is obviously still thoughtful and sees what's going on.

[thegreatbeast]

Yes, it's too bad that the government leaders and a small, but significant, population are communists. Thankfully, soldiers and sailors know what is important.

[ibbryn]

Yeah, the German military. War was declared on the "West" and that includes the UK, German, France, Isreal, and anyone else who is not good Islam. We were just the first target.

[justshe]

Thank you for posting this. Beautiful tribute to HUMANITY...without thought for the differences between the political leaders.

[onedoug]

[Salgak]

From my experience with German troops and officers, they're 99 44/100% good people, and significantly more conservative than their civilian brethren.

Funny, that sounds awfully familiar (g).

My take: the Bundessee (and Bundesland and Bundesluft. . .) know who their real friends and allies are. . .even if their political bosses don 't. . .

[grobdriver]

Not to mention that no one on that German vessel will ever be able to buy a drink in a bar where there is an American sailor.

[LurkedLongEnough]

Throughout their childhood education, they are inculcated with the phrase "Vergessen Sie nie."

Their encarnation of this maxim for USA sailors in pain was very honorable. Thanks for the post.

[robowombat]

The German military when they wish can outdo anyone in rendering honors. In one of Edward VII's last state visits to Germany (and Edward was considered the personification of Perfidious Albion) the German Army lined the route of the royal procession to the railray station where the King was leaving from with a sold wall of regimental bands each thundering out 'God Save the King' so that the British monach was given a continuous musical salute. Edward was quite touched by the gesture from Wilhelm II.

[1stFreedom]

Aside from soldier who are fulfilling mandatory service, most military personel are loyal, moderately conservative, people.

[Quilla]

Yes, it is a beautiful tribute, one that brought tears to my eyes.

[Prof Engineer]

Navy ping

[Stingray51]

Remember that salute from the co-ed crew of a Dutch (?) Navy ship a couple years ago? That was even better (and there was a great post on it, if I remember correctly.

[Question_Assumptions]

I think the German Navy has always marched (sailed?) to a different drummer. In some of the shows about the sinking of the Bismark, they talk about how Admiral Raeder retained the traditional naval salute instead of adopting the Nazi salute and how he resisted the pressure to remove Jewish officers from the navy.

[colorado tanker]

Since this comes from the German Embassy website am I to assume this hasn't been published due to the U.S. media blackout on good news about the war on terror?

[Tatze]

Back in 2001, shortly after 9/11, there was another (or perhaps the same) German Naval Ship that did the same thing. I thought for a minute this was a reposting of that, but apparently not.

[ASA Vet]

You remember correctly click here

[Murtyo]

I did a search in Yahoo News first and I think you're correct

[Michael81Dus]

I disagree. Germany still has the draft, 80,000 of their 285,000 soldiers are men who are compelled to serve. But they have the choice to serve in a civilian institution (Red Cross, hospitals, retirement houses, even soccer clubs for training the youth is accepted) or to serve in the military. So those who´re in the armed forces can be considered as "voluntary compelled" and they´re also loyal, moderaly conservative people.

Sincerely,

Michael,
who has served in the German Army because of the draft, but voluntary joined the Reserve

[CyberAnt]

The Germans did this the day or so after 9/11. I think one of our ships was leaving a port, and a German ship was on it's way into port - as they passed - the German ship flew the American flag at Half-staff, while all the crew stood at attention - and they had a huge sign on the side of the ship - "We Stand By You". I used to have the picture.