Willy Langkeit was an Generalmajor in the Wehrmacht during World War II, and one of 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Willy Langkeit was taken prisoner by American troops in May 1945 and transferred to British custody later that month. He was held until 1947 and later joined the Bundesgrenzschutz in 1951, retiring in 1967.