Wilhelm Keitel was a German military officer who served as the Chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the high command of the German armed forces, during World War II. Born on September 22, 1882, he played a significant role in planning and executing military operations for Nazi Germany. Keitel was known for his loyalty to Adolf Hitler and often followed his orders without question. After the war, Keitel was captured and tried at the Nuremberg Trials, where he was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He was executed on October 16, 1946. His actions and decisions during the war have been widely studied in the context of military ethics and leadership.