Hermann Goring, a prominent Nazi figure, was captured by the U.S. Army, southeast of Salzburg, Austria, on May 8, 1945. He was taken into custody by Brigadier General Robert Stack of the U.S. 36th Infantry Division.
He was apprehended as Germany surrendered to the Allies. Goring had been commander in chief of the Luftwaffe, president of the Reichstag, head of the Gestapo and Prime Minister of Prussia. Goering was an early member of the Nazi Party and was wounded in the failed Munich Beer Hall Putsch in 1923. As a result of his wounds, he became addicted to painkillers, particularly, morphine. Goring was tried at Nuremberg and found guilty on all counts. He requested at trial an execution by firing squad, but it was denied. Instead, he was sentenced to death by hanging. However he committed suicide with Cyanide the night before he was to be hanged.
