Kathrin Grunwald

Kathrin Grunwald (November 19, 2517- February 9, 2637) was a German-born UNSC officer who served in the Human-Covenant War, Remnant War and into the Swarm War. Grunwald first served aboard the UNSC Absolution between 2537 and 2552, eventually attaining the rank of Lieutenant. In 2552, she was promoted to for her brave and selfless actions abord the Absolution during the, which had been critically damaged by Covenant attack. Following her promotion, she was made executive officer of the Remembrance-class frigate UNSC Reunion.

By late 2555, Grunwald had progressed to the rank of and was herself given command of the Reunion; having been promoted for her actions at the Battle of Korll on October 8 that year, which saw the vessel's commanding officer severely wounded. She continued to serve for the remainder of the Remnant War, which was concluded in 2565, and by 2604 was still serving; in this year, she saw promotion to the rank of and assumed command of a carrier battle group. In 2621, Grunwald retired from operational service to become one of the most senior officers within ; a position she held until her death of natural causes in 2637.

Grunwald was regarded as one of the greatest Naval officers of her generation; indeed, being often compared to, ironically a close friend of Kathrin's, who died during in 2552. While serving admirably during the Human-Covenant War and subsequent Remnant War, it was in fact her actions during the Swarm War, which she only lived to see four years of, which gained her the most recognition after her death. Grunwald was one of the few high-ranking UNSC officers to realise the colossal threat The Swarm posed to the galaxy; the actions, plans and contingencies first devised by her would eventually save billions of lives throughout the war.

Due to extensive cryo chamber use and slipspace travel for much of her career, Grunwald served in the Navy for a chronological period of one hundred years, and was chronologically one hundred and nineteen when she died. Despite this, her biological age was eighty two at the time of her death.