NEWPORT, R.I. – The 2016 recipient of U.S. Naval War College’s (NWC) “Hattendorf Prize” is Werner Rahn, retired captain in the Germany navy, leading German naval historian and former director of the German Armed Forces Military History Research Office.
The award was established in 2011 and is named for John Hattendorf, who serves as the Ernest J. King professor of maritime studies at NWC.
“Today, the US Naval War College is honored to present the third award of the Hattendorf prize for distinguished, original research in maritime history,” said Rear Adm. Jeffrey A. Harley, president, NWC. “This prize is presented in order to recognize world-class achievement in original research that contributes to a deeper understanding of the broad context of interrelationships involved in the roles, contributions, limitations and uses of the sea services throughout history. It is widely viewed as the most prestigious award that any scholar can receive in this field and we hope it’ll serve as a permanent beacon to encourage and promote new scholarship in this very important field of study.”
Nominees are selected from distinguished academics for the quality and depth of their original scholarship. Rahn was selected to receive the award based on his series of achievements in maritime scholarship.
“Capt. Dr. Werner Rahn has spent a lifetime of service as an historian for the German navy,” said Hattendorf. “He has done superb work in interpreting the history of the German navy to the modern world. Most importantly, he was the chief editor of the 76-volume war diary of the German naval staff during World War II. This document is the single most important document for understanding the strategic and operational decisions of the German naval high command between 1939 and 1945.”
The honor is an international award given to recognize original research contributions in the field of maritime history.
“Let me at first express my deep gratitude that an independent panel of Naval War College faculty members have selected me as the Hattendorf prize laureate for 2016,” said Rahn. “It is a great honor for me and of course for the German navy.”
The award is made possible with the support of the NWC Foundation and is intended to honor and express appreciation for distinguished academic research, insight and writing that contribute to a deeper historical understanding of the broad context and interrelationships involved in the roles, contributions, limitations, and uses of the sea services in the field of maritime history.