Honoris Crux
Encyclopedia
The Honoris Crux Decoration was a South African military decoration
that was awarded from 1952 to 2003. There were two distinct versions.
It was a silver-gilt Maltese cross with eagles between the arms. The obverse was green, with an orange-white-blue centre disc framed in a red circle inscribed "Honoris Crux". The reverse displayed the 1910 South African national coat of arms, and specimens made before 1961 also had Queen Elizabeth II's royal cipher E II R. The ribbon was green with red and white edges.
Only five awards were made, all to members of the South African Air Force
, the first in 1973 and the others in 1975.
, Honoris Crux Gold
, and Honoris Crux Silver
), and was awarded for bravery in dangerous circumstances. While most of the awards were won in action, some were non-combat. The rules were later amended to restrict the awarding of HC for bravery in combat action while in danger of life. 201 decorations were awarded between 1976 and 2004.
The second-type HC was a silver Maltese cross superimposed on crossed swords and a wreath of protea flowers and leaves. Its obverse is enamelled white, with an orange-white-blue centre disc. The reverse displays the national coat of arms. The ribbon is orange, with white edges and a white line inset from each edge.
The South African military unit awarded the most Honoris Crux Decorations is the South African Special Forces, whose personnel were awarded a total of forty-six Honoris Crux Decorations during the South African Border War in South West Africa (Namibia) and Angola.
The last Honoris Crux Decoration was awarded in October 2004 to a retired Special Forces operator, for bravery in action during the war in Angola in 1987. It was awarded by the Chief of the South African National Defence Force. The Citation for this decoration had been handed in by officers of the former SADF, and was approved by officers of the new SANDF.
The Honoris Crux Decoration was discontinued, and was superseded by the Nkwe ya Boronse
on 27 April 2003.
The last of the SA National Defence Force's Honoris Crux bravery medals has been handed to a retired Special Forces soldier for gallantry in action during the war in Angola. The Honoris Crux, instituted during the former SA Defence Force era, was replaced last year by a new decoration, part of a new series of military medals reflecting transformation since April 1994. The recipient of the last Honoris Crux - South Africa's equivalent of Britain's Victoria Cross and the American Congressional Medal of Honor - was former Special Forces operator Stuart Sterzel. Details of the action for which Sterzel was awarded the medal were sketchy - all the official notes said was that he showed "great bravery during a military operation against an armed enemy while his own life was in danger". Sterzel would not elaborate on the events in 1987 for which he was cited. At that time, the SADF was involved in Angola in some of the biggest land battles fought on the African continent since the Battle of El Alamein in 1942. It fought, along with its Unita allies, against a combined Angolan/Swapo/Cuban, Russian and Eastern Bloc force. pretorianews.co.za 25 Oct 04
South African military decorations
An overview of South African military decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.-1894–1913:The colonial military forces received British military decorations in wartime. From 1894, the colonial governments awarded medals for distinguished conduct and for long...
that was awarded from 1952 to 2003. There were two distinct versions.
First type
The first type, introduced on 6 April 1952, was awarded for gallantry in action against the enemy in the field.It was a silver-gilt Maltese cross with eagles between the arms. The obverse was green, with an orange-white-blue centre disc framed in a red circle inscribed "Honoris Crux". The reverse displayed the 1910 South African national coat of arms, and specimens made before 1961 also had Queen Elizabeth II's royal cipher E II R. The ribbon was green with red and white edges.
Only five awards were made, all to members of the South African Air Force
South African Air Force
The South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
, the first in 1973 and the others in 1975.
Second type
The second type, introduced on 1 July 1975, was reconstituted as the lowest of the four classes of the Honoris Crux Decoration (see also Honoris Crux DiamondHonoris Crux Diamond
The Honoris Crux Diamond was a South African military decoration that existed from 1975 to 1993. It was the highest of the four classes of the Honoris Crux Decoration , and was intended to recognise "death-defying heroic deeds of outstanding valour"...
, Honoris Crux Gold
Honoris Crux Gold
The Honoris Crux Gold was a South African military decoration that existed from 1975 to 1993. It was the second of the four classes of the Honoris Crux Decoration . The decoration is awarded for outstanding acts of bravery while in extreme danger and is of silver gilt...
, and Honoris Crux Silver
Honoris Crux Silver
The Honoris Crux Silver was a South African military decoration that existed from 1975 to 2003. It was the third of the four classes of the Honoris Crux Decoration The Honoris Crux Silver (HCS) was a South African military decoration that existed from 1975 to 2003. It was the third of the four...
), and was awarded for bravery in dangerous circumstances. While most of the awards were won in action, some were non-combat. The rules were later amended to restrict the awarding of HC for bravery in combat action while in danger of life. 201 decorations were awarded between 1976 and 2004.
The second-type HC was a silver Maltese cross superimposed on crossed swords and a wreath of protea flowers and leaves. Its obverse is enamelled white, with an orange-white-blue centre disc. The reverse displays the national coat of arms. The ribbon is orange, with white edges and a white line inset from each edge.
The South African military unit awarded the most Honoris Crux Decorations is the South African Special Forces, whose personnel were awarded a total of forty-six Honoris Crux Decorations during the South African Border War in South West Africa (Namibia) and Angola.
The last Honoris Crux Decoration was awarded in October 2004 to a retired Special Forces operator, for bravery in action during the war in Angola in 1987. It was awarded by the Chief of the South African National Defence Force. The Citation for this decoration had been handed in by officers of the former SADF, and was approved by officers of the new SANDF.
The Honoris Crux Decoration was discontinued, and was superseded by the Nkwe ya Boronse
Nkwe ya Boronse
The Nkwe ya Boronse is South Africa's third of the three classes of the Nkwe Decorations ....
on 27 April 2003.
The Last Honoris Crux
Taken from the Pretoria News, as published on 25 October 2004The last of the SA National Defence Force's Honoris Crux bravery medals has been handed to a retired Special Forces soldier for gallantry in action during the war in Angola. The Honoris Crux, instituted during the former SA Defence Force era, was replaced last year by a new decoration, part of a new series of military medals reflecting transformation since April 1994. The recipient of the last Honoris Crux - South Africa's equivalent of Britain's Victoria Cross and the American Congressional Medal of Honor - was former Special Forces operator Stuart Sterzel. Details of the action for which Sterzel was awarded the medal were sketchy - all the official notes said was that he showed "great bravery during a military operation against an armed enemy while his own life was in danger". Sterzel would not elaborate on the events in 1987 for which he was cited. At that time, the SADF was involved in Angola in some of the biggest land battles fought on the African continent since the Battle of El Alamein in 1942. It fought, along with its Unita allies, against a combined Angolan/Swapo/Cuban, Russian and Eastern Bloc force. pretorianews.co.za 25 Oct 04
Recipients (second type)
- Medal number 001 - Major L.J. Holtshausen - SA Infantry School, Army (1975).
- Medal number 002 - Captain J.W. Holm - Danie Theron Combat School, Army (1975).
- Medal number 003 - Major J.H. Potgieter - 4 Field Regiment SA Artillery, Army (1976).
- Medal number 004 - Lieutenant J.C. Van Wyk - 1 Reconnaissance Regiment (1975).
- Medal number 005 - 2nd Lieutenant P.J. Aucamp - 11 Commando SA Infantry, Army (1975).
- Medal number 006 - 2nd Lieutenant J. Blaauw - 1 Parachute Battalion, Army (1975).
- Medal number 007 - 2nd Lieutenant T.S. Fountain - 4 Field Regiment SAEC, Army (1975).
- Medal number 008 - 2nd Lieutenant A. Nicolau - 1 Special Service BattalionSpecial Service BattalionThe Special Service Battalion is a South African military unit formed on 1 May 1933 under the patronage of Oswald Pirow, Minister of Defence...
SAAC, Army (1975). - Medal number 009 - 2nd Lieutenant M.J. Prins - 14 Field Regiment SA Artillery, Army (1975).
- Medal number 010 - 2nd Lieutenant D. Styen - 2 Field Regiment SAEC, Army (1975).
- Medal number 011 - 2nd Lieutenant L.M.J. Van Vuuren - 1 Special Service Battalion SAAC, Army.
- Medal number 012 - 2nd Lieutenant P.M. Venter - 1 Special Service Battalion SAAC, Army (1976).
- Medal number 013 - Warrant Officer Class 2 J.J. Burger - 2 SA Infantry Battalion, Army (1976).
- Medal number 014 - Warrant Officer Class 2 J.L. Conradie VRM - 1 Reconnaissance Commando (1976).
- Medal number 015 - Staff Sergeant P.S. Lubbe - 2 Field Regiment SAEC, Army (1975).
- Medal number 016 - Staff Sergeant D. Paulo - 1 Reconnaissance Commando (1975).
- Medal number 017 - Staff Sergeant J.H. Steenkamp - 4 SA Infantry Battalion, Army (1975).
- Medal number 018 - Corporal A. Diedericks - 1 Reconnaissance Commando (1975).
- Medal number 019 - Corporal E.A. Rosenstrauch - Technical Service Corps, Army (1976).
- Medal number 020 - Private J.L. Kussendrager - Technical Service Corps, Army (1976).
- Medal number 021 - Trooper S.P.J. Van Rensburg - 1 Special Service Battalion SAAC, Army (1975).
- Medal number 022 - Lieutenant D.E. Atkinson - 16 Squadron16 Squadron SAAF16 Squadron SAAF is an attack helicopter squadron of the South African Air Force . It was originally formed in World War II as a maritime patrol squadron, however, over the course of the war it was disbanded and reformed a number of times, operating a number of different types of aircraft...
(1976). - Medal number 023 - Lieutenant C.C. Milbank - 16 Squadron (1976).
- Medal number 024 - Lieutenant T.O. Troup - 17 Squadron17 Squadron SAAF17 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is currently a transport/utility helicopter squadron.* First formed: 1 September 1939...
(1976). - Medal number 025 - 2nd Lieutenant Kevin WinterbottomKevin WinterbottomKevin Roy Winterbottom was a South African Air Force pilot who chose to avoid crashing his stricken Impala jet aircraft in the Monument Park suburb of Pretoria by remaining with his aircraft to the end. He was posthumously awarded the 25th Honoris Crux decoration for bravery, the first such...
- 4 Squadron (1976). - Medal number 026 - Flight Sergeant E. du T. O'Neil - 19 Squadron19 Squadron SAAF19 Squadron SAAF is a current squadron of the South African Air Force operating as a transport/utility helicopter squadron. It was formed in 1939 as part of the Air Force airways Wing, flying transport aircraft but was disbanded after a few months. It was re-formed from No. 227 Squadron RAF in...
(1975). - Medal number 027 - Sergeant I. Bekker - 87 Helicopter Flying School87 Helicopter Flying School SAAF87 Helicopter Flying School is a unit of the South African Air Force. It is currently a helicopter flight training school.* Motto: Docemus * First formed: 1 January 1973...
(1976). - Medal number 028 - Sergeant G.G. Kriel - 17 Squadron (1976).
- Medal Number 029 - Not Awarded - On Diplay at the South African National Museum of Military HistorySouth African National Museum of Military HistoryThe South African National War Museum in Johannesburg was officially opened by Prime Minister Jan Smuts on 29 August 1947 to preserve the history of South Africa's involvement in the Second World War. In 1975 the museum was renamed the South African National Museum of Military History and its...
in Saxonwold, JohannesburgJohannesburgJohannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
. This is the only Honoris Crux Diamond medal ever made. - Medal Number 030 - Second Lieutenant J.J. Hougaard - 3 SA Infantry Battalion, Army (1976).
- Medal Number 031 - Second Lieutenant D.N.J. Mostert - 3 SA Infantry Battalion, Army (1976).
- Medal Number 032 - Sergeant M. Viljoen - 1 Reconnaissance Commando, Army (1977).
- Medal Number 033 - Lieutenant R.A. Douglas - The Cape Town HighlandersCape Town Highlanders RegimentThe Cape Town Highlanders Regiment is a mechanised infantry regiment of the South African Army. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Territorial Army or United States Army National Guard unit.-History:...
, Army (1977). - Medal Number 034 - Lieutenant D.A. Kruger - Regiment Louw Wepener, Army (1976).
- Medal Number 035 - Second Lieutenant J.J. van Schalkwyk - 3 SA Infantry Battalion, Army (1976).
- Medal Number 036 - Sergeant W.H.B. Gildenhuys - The Cape Town Highlanders, Army (1977).
- Medal Number 037 - Sergeant H.W. Van Aswegen - Regiment Christiaan Beyers, Army (1976).
- Medal Number 038 - Corporal J.A. Van R Wasserman - Regiment Louw Wepener, Army (1976).
- Medal Number 039 - Rifleman A.D. De Kock - Regiment Louw Wepener, Army (1976).
- Medal Number 040 - Rifleman S.E.H. Oberholzer - Regiment Louw Wepener, Army (1976).
- Medal Number 041 - Rifleman J.J. Van Merwe - 2 Parachute Battalion, Army (1978).
- Medal Number 042 - Rifleman L.F. Van Der Zee - Regiment Christiaan Beyers, Army (1976).
- Medal Number 043 - Rifleman J.W. Van Vuuren - Regiment Louw Wepener, Army (1976).
- Medal Number 044 - Corporal R.G. Kanes - 2 SA Infantry Battalion, Army (1978).
- Medal Number 045 - Trooper M. Saunders - Prince Alfred's GuardPrince Alfred's GuardPrince Alfred's Guard is an infantry regiment of the South African Army. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Territorial Army or United States Army National Guard unit. The Regiment is located in the city of Port Elizabeth.-History:Prince Alfred's Guard was...
, Army (1976). - Medal number 046 - Corporal P.N. Wiggill — SA Infantry Corps, Army (1976).
- Medal Number 047 - Major J. Church - 19 Squadron19 Squadron SAAF19 Squadron SAAF is a current squadron of the South African Air Force operating as a transport/utility helicopter squadron. It was formed in 1939 as part of the Air Force airways Wing, flying transport aircraft but was disbanded after a few months. It was re-formed from No. 227 Squadron RAF in...
(1978). - Medal Number 048 -
- Medal Number 049 - Sergeant L.J. Kloppers - 1 Reconnaissance Commando (1975).
- Medal Number 050 - Lieutenant D.H. Fourie - 4 Reconnaissance Commando (1975).
- Medal Number 051 - Corporal D.P. Engelbrecht - 3 Parachute Battalion, Army (1978).
- Medal Number 052 - Rifleman J.C. Delport - Dan Pienaar Regiment (1978).
- Medal Number 053 - Rifleman D.E. Packham - 3 Parachute Battalion, Army (1978).
- Medal number 077 - Major Eddie Viljoen - 32 BattalionSouth African 32 Battalion32 Battalion was a special light infantry battalion of the South African Army, composed of black and white commissioned and enlisted personnel...
, Army (1978). - Medal number 00? - Major Flip van Dyk - 24 Squadron24 Squadron SAAF24 Squadron SAAF is a disbanded squadron of the South African Air Force. Its last role was as an attack aircraft squadron. The squadron was first formed on 5 March 1941 by renumbering 14 Squadron SAAF in Egypt....
. - Medal number 00? - 2nd Lieutenant Petrus Nel - 32 Battalion, Army.
- Medal number 00? - Corporal Eduardo Joào - 32 Battalion, Army.
- Medal number 00? - Major Hannes Nortmann - 32 Battalion, Army.
- Medal number 00? - Sergeant Rihan Rupping - 32 Battalion, Army.
- Medal number 00? - Captain Petrus van Zyl - 32 Battalion, Army.
- Medal number 00? - Lieutenant Tobias de Vos - 32 Battalion, Army.
- Medal number 00? - Sergeant Victor Dracula - 32 Battalion, Army.
- Medal number 00? - Rifleman Bernardo Domingos - 32 Battalion, Army
- Medal number 114 - Corporal Carel F. Cronje - Special Forces (1987).
See also
- British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
- South African military decorationsSouth African military decorationsAn overview of South African military decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.-1894–1913:The colonial military forces received British military decorations in wartime. From 1894, the colonial governments awarded medals for distinguished conduct and for long...
Further reading
- Alexander, E. G. M., Barron G. K. B. and Bateman, A. J. (1986). South African Orders, Decorations and Medals. Human and Rousseau.
- Monick, S. (1988). "South African Military Awards 1912-1987". South African National Museum of Military History.
- Steenkamp Willem, Borderstrike!: South Africa into Angola 1975-1980