The hijacking was led by Zohair Yousif Akache, also known as Captain Mahmoud, a militant from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

On 14 October, during a forced stop in Dubai, Schumann was able to share information with the authorities about the number of hijackers on board the plane.

On board, Akache, in a fit of rage fueled by suspicions due to Schumann's prolonged absence, furiously forced him to kneel on the passenger cabin floor and, without giving him a chance to explain himself, fatally shot him in the head.

The medal was carried on a cushion in front of the coffin at Schumann's funeral on 21 October 1977 by his co-pilot of the "Landshut", Jürgen Vietor.

The Jürgen Schumann Barracks of the Bundeswehr in Appen was renamed in his honour on 24 November 2021, following lengthy official procedures.

[4][5][3] German Autumn: A period marked by a series of terrorist attacks by the Red Army Faction (RAF) in West Germany during 1977, culminating in the hijacking of Lufthansa Flight 181.