Jakob Grimminger (25 April 1892 – 28 January 1969[1]) was a member of the Schutzstaffel (SS) who was famous for carrying the Blutfahne, the ceremonial Nazi flag.
He was born in Augsburg, Bavaria, entered the Imperial German Army when he was sixteen years old and served during World War I. Mechanic in an air regiment between 1914 and 1917, he fought in the Gallipoli Campaign and after one year destined in Palestine he returned to Germany and with the iron cross second class, Bavarian medals and the Turkischer Eiserner Halbmond was discharged in 1919. Working as a tallist he joined the Nazi Party in 1922 and became a member of the Sturmabteilung, taking part in the fights for Coburg in 1922 and the Munich Beer Hall Putsch of 9 November 1923. After serving in the Braune Haus, the general headquarters of the NSDAP, he was selected in 1926 to become a member of the SS. Grimminger was promoted many times during his service in the SA and the SS, eventually reaching the rank of Standartenführer (equivalent to Colonel). He was also City council man in Munich. As a member of the SS he was given the honour of carrying the blood-stained Blutfahne from the Munich putsch. Grimminger was decorated with the Goldenes Parteiabzeichen, the Blood Order (nº 714) or the Coburger Ehrenzeichen, the three most important decorations of the NSDAP.
He survived the Second World War, and was put on trial by the Allies in 1946 for being a member of the SS and carrying the Blutfahne for nineteen years. He was not sent to prison for this – but all of his property was confiscated.
He reportedly attempted to enter politics, and served as a councillor in Munich; however his past prevented him from continuing this career. He died in poverty in 1969, in Munich, Germany (then West Germany).
Dates of rank