South African Defence Force Awards

[archie777]

Medal set with the Army Cross

[archie777]

Here's a picture of one of my friend's display. He got hold of the Louw Wepener Decoration, in the mean time

[archie777]

More of my friend's display

[archie777]

Last picture of my friends collection. He got hold of all those still outstanding on the display, 

[archie777]

A recipient of the Order of the Leopard Silver, set of medals with his book

 

He's a member of the Air Force

[archie777]

SA Korea Medal in a set, awarded

[Megan]

Korea Medal

 

[Marcon1]

Hiya,

Here some interesting information concerning the above Korea medal.

 

SA Korea Medal

 

In the 1990s, the SADF ordered top-ups of all its medals, and this included the SA Korea medal. These “top-up” medals are official, and they are not copies. 

                                      Original 1953 issue.                           1990's top-up issue.

                                                                          

Note: on the 1990's issue a set of initials is missing. (on the right).

 

Note: on the 1990's issue there is no voiding on the suspender, the 1953 issue has voided suspender.

1990's issue.

 

 Regards, Marcon1.

 

 

Edited May 13 by Marcon1

[archie777]

Hi Megan & Marco,

 

Yes, I have both in my collection

 

Pictures is on page 2, but unfortunately not as clear as Marco's pictures

 

Thanks for the share

 

Regards

Archie

[archie777]

Medal set with the Pro Merito Medal (PMM) 1968 and Chief of the SADF Commendation Medal

 

[archie777]

A medal group with the Military Merit Medal

[archie777]

A highly decorated South African Air Force W/O with his medal group 

 

He received the Air Force Cross twice and the Military Merit Medal 3 times

Edited May 15 by archie777
Spelling

[Rusty Greaves]

The most recent Liverpool Medals catalogue includes a A rare South African issue Korea War Medal, awarded to J.D.S Snyders of the No 2 Cheetah Fighter Squadron of the South African Air Force.

 

 

The description reads: 

 

"Korea War Medal, South African issue, P16322 J.D.S. Snyders.

 

Officially impressed: “P16322 J.D.S. Snyder”

 

A very rare award to No. 2 “Cheetah” Squadron, South African Air Force, one of only 797 medals issued, the entire South African Air force present consisted of 243 officers and 545 Other ranks. 23 South African Officers and 15 other ranks from the army also served.

 

During the war 34 Pilots and two ground crew died and 7 Prisoners of War were returned.

 

Out of 846 South African present during the war, 797 of them received the medal.

 

There is a printed medal roll but it has four names missing, this medal is mentioned and confirmed in “Honours, Medals and Awards of the Korean War” by Kevin Ingraham as a man who was entitled but missed off the printed roll.

 

Kevin writes in his section on the SA Korea back in 1993:

 

“Further details on the recipients can be found in the South Africa Korea Roll by Colin Owen. This is currently out of print but shows up on dealers lists in the UK. There are 4 names missing from this roll that have since been confirmed. One of these is J.D.S. Snyders, P16322”

 

The battalion a whole were honoured by the Republic of Korea and also the United States of America with the “Presidential Unit Citation”.

 

During the war the Squadron flet the F-51 Mustang the famous American Fighter Plane, before they switched over to the new F-86 Sabre Jet Fighters.

 

The Sabres arrived in January 1953 with the first combat mission being flown in late March 1953. The aircrew and ground crew all had to be sent to Japan first to receive specialist training in Jet Engine Aircraft, fortunately most of the Pilots had flown Vampire Jets back in South Africa before the war, but it was a schooling for the men like Snyders as they studied the Sabre Jet Engines in Japan."