 Maisel, on 30 April, legally approved and conferred 33 Knight's Crosses, rejected 29 nominations, and deferred four.Hitler's death ended Maisel's authority to approve nominations.The authority to approve and make presentations was passed on to Hitler's successor as "Staatsoberhaupt" (Head of State) Karl Dönitz, who held the title of "Reichspräsident" (President) and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.