Joachim Peiper ( 1915 - 1976 ) more often known as "Jochen Peiper" from the common German nickname for Joachim; born in Berlin on January 30 , 1915 , was a senior Waffen-SS officer and commander in the Panzer campaigns of 1939-1945. His father was a WW I veteran, and he had two brothers, Hans-Hasso and Horst. By the end of his military career, Peiper was the youngest regimental colonel in the Waffen-SS, officially known as: SS Standartenführer Joachim Peiper, 1st SS Panzer Division, Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler.
Peiper was recruited into the SS-Verfügungstruppe in 1935 upon his graduation from college. Sepp Dietrich reviewed his application and admitted him into the 1st SS "Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler " honour guard regiment, which was re-formed as a Waffen-SS combat unit at the outbreak of war. Initially he served as an Adjutant on Heinrich Himmler's staff before moving onto command various Panzer units within 1st SS "Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler". While on Himmler's staff, Peiper met and married his wife, Sigurd, with whom he had three children: Hinrich, Elke, and Silke. Himmler was particularly fond of Jochen Peiper and took a keen interest in Peiper's ascension towards command. At age 29 Peiper was a full colonel of the Waffen-SS, well respected and a holder of one of wartime Germany's highest decorations, the Knight's Cross with Swords personally awarded to him by Adolf Hitler.
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