Heinz Neukirchen (in Duisburg, Germany - December 8, 1986 in Rostock, GDR) was an officer of the Kriegsmarine in World War II, and a Vice Admiral in the People's Navy (Volksmarine) of the German Democratic Republic as well as President of the East German Directorate of Maritime and Port Industries. He was the author of several maritime books.
Neukirchen was the son of a small farmer and vegetable dealer. After graduation from high school he worked an internship from 1931 to 1932, then one year as a freelancer for the Dusseldorfer News. Neukirchen began service in Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine in 1935. From 1939 to 1940, he worked as a boatswain's harbor protection commander. Following several warrant officer courses, Neukirchen served from 1943 to 1944 as a watch officer on a mine ship. In the last year of World War II, he was a Lieutenant and commander of U-Boat hunters stationed in Norway. In addition to this duty he served in 1945 as a battery commander of Marine infantry. From 1945 to 1949 he was in Soviet captivity.