Hermann Wilhelm Goering was born to a colonial official and his wife. His godfather was a wealthy physician who owned a castle where young Hermann spent much of his childhood.

Goering was sent to a military academy at Karlsruhe. He excelled in his studies and showed early signs of the bravado that would mark his later career.

Goering was commissioned as a lieutenant in an infantry regiment. When war broke out in 1914, he initially served in the trenches before transferring to aviation.

Goering transferred to the air service and trained as a pilot. He proved a natural aviator and began accumulating aerial victories against Allied aircraft.

Goering took command of the famous Jagdgeschwader 1, the 'Flying Circus' previously led by the Red Baron. He ended the war as a highly decorated ace with 22 victories.

Goering met Hitler at a rally and joined the Nazi Party. His war hero status and social connections made him valuable to the fledgling movement.

Goering was seriously wounded during Hitler's failed coup attempt. He fled to Austria and then Sweden, where he became addicted to morphine during his recovery.

Goering was elected to the German parliament as a Nazi deputy. He used his position to build connections with industrialists and conservative politicians.

Goering was elected President of the Reichstag. He used this powerful position to manipulate parliamentary procedures in favor of the Nazi Party.

As Prussian Interior Minister, Goering established the secret police that would become the Gestapo. He initially controlled this terror apparatus before ceding it to Himmler.

Goering was named Commander-in-Chief of the newly revealed German Air Force. He would build the Luftwaffe into a formidable force for Hitler's aggressive plans.

Goering took control of Germany's war economy as director of the Four Year Plan. His economic empire made him one of the most powerful figures in the Reich.

After the fall of France, Hitler promoted Goering to the unique rank of Reichsmarschall. However, his failure in the Battle of Britain began his decline in influence.

The Luftwaffe's failure to supply Stalingrad and its inability to stop Allied bombing destroyed Goering's reputation. He retreated into drug addiction and art collecting.

When Goering asked to assume leadership as Germany collapsed, Hitler expelled him from the party and ordered his arrest. He surrendered to American forces shortly after.

Goering was sentenced to death at the Nuremberg Trials. Hours before his scheduled execution, he committed suicide with cyanide smuggled into his cell.