Fritz Langanke (15 July 1919 – 10 July 2012) was an Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant), in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II. Langanke was born on 15 July 1919, in Gelsenkirchen. He volunteered to join the SS and was posted to the 10th Company, Germania Standarte in 1937. In 1938 he transferred to the newly formed Panzer Reconnaissance platoon, as a radio operator, and later as a vehicle commander.