Ernst Adolf Julius Guido von Usedom
(2.10.1854 - 24.2.1925)
place of birth:  Quanditten, Ostpreußen  (Sinjavino, Kaliningrad)


German Admiral and confidant of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Usedom joined the German Navy in 1871 and participated in the Boxer Rebellion 1900-01 where he earned the Pour le Merite for his leadership during the naval forces landing. He later served as adjutant to Prinz Heinrich von Preussen and became part of Kaiser Wilhelm II's retinue.

Von Usedom retired in 1910 as a vice-admiral but was reactivated for the War. The Kaiser immediately appointed him as commander of the Dardanelles defense network with the special mission to Turkey . As commander, the Turks additionally bestowed the rank of Field Marshal to Usedom since subordinated fortress commanders were also members of the Ottoman Army.

In August 1915 he became the Kaiser's adjutant general and worked closely with German general Liman von Sanders during the Gallipoli Campaign. For these efforts, he was awarded the Pour le Merite oakleaf cluster and was also promoted to full admiral on 27 January 1916, remaining with the Ottoman Army until War's end. Von Usedom died in 1925 in Schwerin, Germany.