SS-Brigadefuhrer Ulrich Graf

Ulrich Graf, born July 6, 1878 in Bachhagel, Germany, was a charter member of the German Workers' Party, which later merged with the National Socialist Party to become the National Socialist German Workers (or Nazi) Party.

He was one of the very early members of the circle around Adolf Hitler. He was an amateur wrestler and a butcher's apprentice, and became Hitler's personal bodyguard from 1920 to 1923.

He was present in the Bürgerbräukeller at the beer hall putsch, and with Rudolf Hess cleared the way to the platform for Hitler. During the march through Munich from the beer cellar, Hitler and Ludendorff and their followers were blocked by about a hundred armed police outside the Feldhernhalle. Graf stepped forward and shouted "Don't shoot! His excellency Ludendorff is coming." There was nevertheless gunfire, and fourteen Nazis and three police officers were killed. (Two supporters had been killed earlier at the War Ministry).

Ulrich Graf, who had shielded Adolf Hitler with his body and received several bullet wounds, recovered having possibly saved Hitler's life. In 1936 he was elected to the Reichstag. In 1937 he rose to become a Oberfuhrer in Himmler's SS. On Hitler's birthday April 20, 1943 Graf became an SS Brigadefuhrer, less than three months later on his birthday July 3, 1943 Himmler gave Graf a book that he signed, thanking Graf for basicially saving Hitler's life, Graf survived the war dying in March of 1950.

P.S. Notice how "grateful" Hitler was to Herr Graf, who had saved his life, by busting him down to an SS soldier, considering that he was busted down to lieutenant in 1934 when Hitler gained power :lame:. When he found out that Graf had become a general, he thanked him by giving him a book (signed by Heinrich, not by Adolf!)...:eyes:

 

Ulrich Graf