Franz-Josef Beerenbrock (9 April 1920 – 13 December 2004) was one of the most successful German fighter aces of World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Beerenbrock claimed 117 aerial victories in approximately 400 combat missions, all on the Eastern Front. In November 1942 he became a Prisoner of War for the rest of the war in Russia.