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Distinguished German-Americans

The German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA®

German-American Heritage Museum of the USA™

The German-American Heritage Museum of the USA™ opened in March, 2010 in a building once known as Hockemeyer Hall. Renovations were completed by the GAHF after acquiring the building in 2008. Located on 6th Street NW in the heart of the old European-American section of Washington, the Museum sits in what is now a thriving commercial neighborhood.

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1987 – 2019

Distinguished German-Americans

Every year, since 1987 the German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA® (GAHF) has recognized an American of German-speaking ancestry for outstanding leadership and achievements in business, the arts, education, science, politics and society. The Distinguished German-American of the Year™ Award is the only national honor of this kind.

2023

Dr. Hans-Jörg Königsmann

On Oct. 7, 2023, Hans-Jörg Königsmann was honored by the German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA as the 2023 Distinguished German-American of the Year at the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC.

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Previous recipients of the DISTINGUISHED GERMAN-AMERICAN OF THE YEAR™ Award

  • Dr. Hans-Jörg Königsmann, CA
    2023
  • Former Governor Jerry Brown, CA
    2022
  • Dr. Karl Wolfgang Böer † (Posthumously), DE
    2021
  • Mr. Erich Ast †, PA; Mr. Frederick H. W. Hansen, NY; Mr. Helmut Krüger, NJ; Mr. Hank Stoffel, CA
    2019
  • Mr. Peter Thiel, CA & Germany
    2018
  • Mr. Robert M. Hitt, SC
    2017
  • Mr. Philip F. Anschutz, CO
    2016
  • Mr. Doug Oberhelman, IL
    2015
  • Mr. Helge H. Wehmeier, PA
    2014
  • Mr. Bern E. Deichmann †, PA
    2013
  • Chef Walter Staib, PA
    2012
  • Mr. Robert B. Zoellick, MD
    2011
  • Honorable Paul A. Volcker, NY
    2010
  • Mr. William R. Timken, Jr. (Ambassador ret.), OH
    2009
  • Mrs. Wilma L. Schmidt † (Posthumously), PA
    2008
  • Dr. Jesco von Puttkamer †, VA
    2008
  • Mrs. Margrit B. Krewson †, DC
    2007
  • General H. Norman Schwarzkopf † & Mrs. Brenda Schwarzkopf, FL
    2006
  • Dr. Günter Blobel, M.D., Ph.D., †, NY
    2005
  • Mr. Albert Wurz †, PA
    2004
  • Mr. Walter Brand †, CA
    2003
  • Dr. Don Heinrich Tolzmann, OH
    2002
  • Mr. Detlef “Ted” Hierl †, NJ
    2001
  • Mr. John Patrick Schmitz, Esq., DC
    2000
  • Mr. C. John Muller †, PA
    1999
  • Prof. Dr. Otto I. Walter, Esq. †, NY
    1998
  • Mr. Gerald R. Kainz †, DC
    1997
  • Mr. Bruno Karnas †, PA
    1996
  • Mr. William Hetzler, NY
    1995
  • Mrs. Doris Meissner, WI
    1994
  • Dr. George J. Beichl †, PA
    1993
  • Mr. Heinz C. Prechter †, MI
    1992
  • Mr. Albrecht Maier, NJ
    1991
  • Mr. Eric Braeden, CA
    1990
  • Mr. Werner Fricker †, PA
    1989
  • The Honorable Ruth E. Denk, NY
    1988
  • Mr. Karl Ehmer †, NY
    1987

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