Deaths on August 5

Otto Kretschmer

Died on August 5, 1998

Otto Kretschmer, German commander (b. 1912)

Otto Kretschmer (1 May 1912 – 5 August 1998) was a German naval officer and submariner in World War II and the Cold War.

From September 1939 until his surrender in March 1941, he sank 44 ships, including one warship, a total of 274,333 tons. For this he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, among other awards. He earned the nickname "Silent Otto" both for his successful use of the "silent running" capability of U-boats as well as for his reluctance to transmit radio messages during patrols. After the war he served in the German Federal Navy, from which he retired in 1970 with the rank of Flottillenadmiral (flotilla admiral).

References

Otto Kretschmer

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Events on 1998

4 May

Unabomber
A federal judge in Sacramento, California, gives "Unabomber" Theodore Kaczynski four life sentences plus 30 years after Kaczynski accepts a plea agreement sparing him from the death penalty.
6 May

Houston Astros
Kerry Wood strikes out 20 Houston Astros to tie the major league record held by Roger Clemens. He threw a one-hitter and did not walk a batter in his fifth career start.
26 May

Ellis Island
The Supreme Court of the United States rules that Ellis Island, the historic gateway for millions of immigrants, is mainly in the state of New Jersey, not New York.
4 Jun

Oklahoma City bombing
Terry Nichols is sentenced to life in prison for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing.
5 Jun

General Motors
A strike begins at the General Motors parts factory in Flint, Michigan, that quickly spreads to five other assembly plants. The strike lasts seven weeks.

Deaths on August 5

Otto Kretschmer

Died on August 5, 1998

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 1998

Unabomber

Houston Astros

Ellis Island

Oklahoma City bombing

General Motors