Andris Kursietis has been a researcher of military history for fifty years, using resources that span the globe. His latest book, "The Luftwaffe and its Leadership, 1935 - 1945" provides listings of the commanders of the main staff and field commands of the Luftwaffe from 1935, when the heretofore cloaked Luftwaffe was formally announced, until its destruction at the end of World War II in 1945. The book also includes biographical information on the senior Luftwaffe generals.For his previous work on the Hungarian military, the Hungarian Knightly Order of Vitéz in 1997 awarded Kursietis its Cross of Merit. He is also the recipient of the Silver Medal of Merit from the World Federation of Hungarian Veterans, as well as the Silver and Bronze Service Crosses and the 2014-2018 Cross from the International Hungarian Military History Preservation Society.Outside of his researching and writing, Kursietis serves as the Chairman, President and CEO of the Latvian Welfare Association in the USA (Daugavas Vanagi ASV). He is the recipient of the organization's highest award, the Gold Badge.