Günter Kuhnke (7 September 1912 – 11 October 1990) was a German submarine commander during World War II and later a Konteradmiral with the Bundesmarine, West Germany's navy. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany.
Career Kuhnke commanded the , and , sinking eleven ships on nine patrols, for a total of of Allied shipping plus the special service vessel HMS Prunella. He commanded 10th U-boat Flotilla from January 1942 until October 1944, then 33rd U-boat Flotilla until May 1945.
Kuhnke joined Bundesmarine in 1955. commanded the destroyer Z-2 (D171) (formerly USS Ringgold (DD-500)) from 14 July 1959 until 15 November 1960. In 1966, he was promoted to Konteradmiral (rear admiral) in 1966. Kuhnke retired from service in September 1972.
Awards Wehrmacht Long Service Award, 4th class (2 October 1936)Busch and Röll 2003, p. 67. Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (29 September 1939) 1st Class (1 October 1939) War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords (30 January 1944) Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 19 September 1940 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-28Fellgiebel 2000, p. 279. Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (26 June 1969)Busch and Röll 2003, p. 68. Grand Merit Cross with Star of the Federal Republic of Germany (30 September 1972)
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