This German Kriegsmarine (Navy) visor hat belonged to Oberleutnant Günther Keller, commander of U-3521 from January to May 1945. It has a removable white top and features a gilt metal second pattern Kriegsmarine eagle above an embroidered national wreath/cockade combination. According to German regulations, the white top was worn during summer months.¹ The front visor has a single row of gold scallops, which designated the rank of leutnant to kapitänleutnant.² The interior is lined with white silk and has a thick leather sweatband. Stitched to the silk lining is a celluloid sweat diamond that has a paper insert with Oberleutnant Keller's name abbreviated "Ob. Ltn. G. Keller."

Brief Biography of Oberleutnant Günther Keller in World War II (1939-1945)

Oberleutnant Günther Keller was born in Allmendshofen-Donaueschingen, Germany, on May 25, 1921. By the start of World War II in 1939, he was an officer cadet in the Kriegsmarine. Through a series of promotions throughout the war, Keller reached the rank of oberleutnant (first lieutenant) on December 1, 1943. Shortly after he received his first command of U-981 between June and August of 1944.³ On August 12, U-981 was sunk in the Bay of Biscay by air mines and depth charges dropped from a British aircraft. Keller along with forty of his crew survived while twelve were killed.⁴ By January 1945 Oberleutnant Keller was given another command, this time of newly commissioned U-3521. U-3521 made no war patrols during the war and was scuttled on May 2 at Travemünde.⁵

Country: Germany	War Period: World War II
Garment Type: Visor Hat	Year Made: 1945
Identification: KMV-14-1009