Wolfgang von Strucker

"It's not a world of spies anymore, not even a world of heroes. This is the Age of Miracles, doctor. There is nothing more horrifying than a miracle!"

- Baron von Strucker

Wolfgang von Strucker is a German Baron and an officer of HYDRA. During World War II, he was involved in Project Master Man. Ruthless, cunning, and savage to his enemies, he was a strong and capable leader. After the fall of the Third Reich and Red Skull's disappearance, he took control over the remnants of HYDRA and went into hiding, only to re-emerge from the shadows at the beginning of the 21st century.

Early life
"I am Baron von Strucker. I am nobility. I am your death...and the death of all you hold dear."

- Baron von Strucker to Captain America

Not much is known about Wolfgang von Strucker's youth, except that he was born into Prussian nobel family. Eventually acquiring the title of Baron, at some point during the rise of Nazism in Germany he joined HYDRA, the deep science division of the Nazi Schutzstaffel led by the infamous Johann Schmidt. Ambitious, arrogant and harboring a particular distaste for the lower-class, Strucker quickly rose through HYDRA, becoming proficient in both combat and tactics.

World War II
"Ah, Captain. So good to meet you in person. Hmph. Look at you. Gaudy and common, like your country."

- Baron von Strucker to Captain America As World War II broke out, Strucker participated in the Nazi conquest of Europe, for which he was awarded with the Iron Cross First Class. The HYDRA documents intercepted by the Allied Strategic Scientific Reserve suggest that he was pursuing development of advanced weaponry known as the “Satan Claw” for his personal use.

In 1944, in the mountains of Bavaria, Captain America encounters him in a tower where a radio dish controlling a powerful cannon is located. Captain America engages Strucker in combat and after a deadly battle, manages to defeat him. However, the cannon loses control after the radio dish is destroyed and shoots down the aircraft transporting the Invaders and, after they bail out, the plane heads straight for the tower Strucker and Rogers are in. Strucker, in a last ditch attempt to take down Captain America, charges at him which sends both Rogers and Strucker flying off as the plane destroys their battleground. As Captain America and Baron Strucker free-fall off the tower, Baron Strucker manages to knock out Captain America, and he was last seen laying on the ground unconscious. Later one of the HYDRA personnel says that his recovery would take months.

21st century
Though the Axis powers lost World War II in 1945, Strucker was one of those Nazis and HYDRA operatives who survived the fall of their tyrannical regimes. Through unknown circumstances, Strucker remained young until the 21st century.

At some point after the battle of New York, Strucker was able to obtain the Chitauri Scepter used by Loki. His men also managed to capture Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, a pair of twins with extraordinary powers.

Trivia

 * In Marvel Comics, Adolf Hitler ordered his men to kill Strucker, which is why he escaped from Germany and organized HYDRA in the Japanese-occupied territory in the final days of World War II.
 * In the animated series The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Baron von Strucker was Red Skull's second in command during World War II.