Alfred Jodl, German military leader, died on October 16, 1946, at the age of 56. He served in the German Army from 1910, reached the rank of Colonel General, and was Chief of the Operations Staff of the Armed Forces High Command during World War II. Jodl served as Chief of the Operations Staff from 1938 to 1945, during which time he was responsible for directing and controlling military operations. He signed the German instruments of surrender at the end of the war on May 8, 1945. He was later tried as a war criminal during the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg and was found guilty of crimes against peace and, as "principal responsible adviser of the High Command in operational matters", of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He was convicted and executed by hanging at the prison at Nuremberg. Alfred Jodl was a tough but respected soldier and leader. He lived a life of commitment and service and will be remembered by those who knew him.