Hermann Wilhelm Göring (or Goering; ] ; 12 January 1893 – 15 October 1946) was a German political and military leader as well as one of the most powerful figures in the Nazi Party (NSDAP) that ruled Germany from 1933 to 1945. A veteran World War I fighter pilot ace, he was a recipient of the "Pour le Mérite". He was the last commander of "Jagdgeschwader" 1, the fighter wing once led by Manfred von Richthofen.