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{{About|the Honoris Crux Gold||Honoris Crux}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2012}}
{{Use South African English|date=August 2012}}
{{infobox military award
| name = Honoris Crux Gold
| image = [[File:Honoris Crux Gold medal.jpg]]
| caption =
| awarded_by = the State President and, from 1994, the President to [[South African Defence Force]] members
| country = {{flagicon|South Africa|1928}} {{flag|South Africa|1994}}
| type = Military decoration for bravery
| eligibility = All Ranks
| for = Outstanding bravery in extreme danger
| campaign = 1966-1989 Border War
| status = Discontinued in 2003
| description =
| motto =
| clasps =
| post-nominals = HCG
| established = 1975
| first_award = 1975
| last_award = 1991
| total = 5 and 1 Bar
| posthumous =
| recipients =
| precedence_label =
| individual =
| higher = {{plainlist|'''SADF precedence:'''<ref name="Gazette 15093"/>
*[[Castle of Good Hope Decoration]] (CGH)
}}
| same =
| lower = {{plainlist|'''SADF precedence:'''<ref name="Gazette 15093"/>
*[[Order of the Star of South Africa|Order of the Star of South Africa Gold]] (SSA)
}}
{{plainlist|'''SANDF precedence:'''<ref name="Gazette 27376"/>
*[[Gold Star for Bravery]] (GSB)
}}
| related =
| image2 = [[File:HCGlint.gif]]
| caption2 = Ribbon bar
}}

The '''Honoris Crux Gold''' (Gold Cross of Honour) is a [[South African military decorations|military decoration for bravery]] that was instituted by the [[South Africa|Republic of South Africa]] in 1975.

The '''Honoris Crux Gold''', post-nominal letters '''HCG''', was in use from 1 July 1975 and was awarded to members of the [[South African Defence Force]] for outstanding acts of bravery while in extreme danger. It was the second most senior in a set of four classes of Honoris Crux decorations that replaced the discontinued [[Honoris Crux (1952)|Honoris Crux of 1952]].<ref name="PostNominals">[http://samw.hwmw.net46.net/sapnls.htm South African Medals Website - Post-nominal Letters]</ref><ref name="SADF 1975-2003"/>

==The South African military==
The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994 it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).<ref name="SADF 1952-1975">[http://samw.hwmw.net46.net/mil52.htm South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975]</ref>

===Orders, decorations and medals===
In April 1952 a series of military decorations and medals was instituted, consisting of substitutes for many of the British and Commonwealth awards which had earlier been used. More decorations and medals, as well as an emblem for being mentioned in dispatches, were added between 1953 and 1970. In July 1975 the military decorations and medals of the [[South Africa|Republic]] were revised. Some decorations and medals were carried over from the earlier series of 1952-1975 and new awards were instituted, followed by more between 1987 and 1991. Finally, all but one of these earlier awards were discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003, when a new set of nine decorations and medals was instituted to replace them.<ref name="SADF 1975-2003">[http://samw.hwmw.net46.net/mil75.htm South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003]</ref><ref name="SADF 1952-1975"/><ref name="Afrikaans 1">[[:af:Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1952-1975|Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1952-1975]]</ref><ref name="Afrikaans 2">[[:af:Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1975-2003|Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1975-2003]]</ref><ref name="Gazette 25213">[http://us-cdn.creamermedia.co.za/assets/articles/attachments/00893_presidentialwarrant.pdf Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003]</ref>

===Awarding authority===
Until 1958 the top three awards were reserved for conferment by [[Elizabeth II|the Queen]] while the rest were awarded by the [[Governor-General of the Union of South Africa|Governor-General]], but in 1958 the Governor-General was authorised to also award the top three. In 1961 the State President became the awarding authority, and in 1994 the President.<ref name="SADF 1952-1975"/>

==Award criteria for the Honoris Crux Gold==
The '''Honoris Crux Gold''', post-nominal letters '''HCG''', was awarded to members of the [[South African Defence Force]] for outstanding acts of bravery while in extreme danger. A Bar could be awarded for a further similar deed of bravery. It was the third most senior of a set of four classes of Honoris Crux decorations, the [[Honoris Crux Diamond]], Honoris Crux Gold, [[Honoris Crux Silver]] and [[Honoris Crux (1975)|Honoris Crux]] that replaced the discontinued [[Honoris Crux (1952)|Honoris Crux of 1952]].<ref name="SADF 1975-2003"/>

==Order of precedence==
The position of the Honoris Crux Gold in the official order of precedence was revised twice to accommodate the institution or addition of new decorations and medals, first with the integration into the South African National Defence Force in 1994 and again with the institution of a new set of awards in 2003.

;South African Defence Force until 26 April 1994:
*Official SADF order of precedence:
** Preceded by the ''[[Castle of Good Hope Decoration]] (CGH)''.
** Succeeded by the ''[[Order of the Star of South Africa|Order of the Star of South Africa Gold]] (SSA)''.<ref name="Gazette 15093"/>

*Official national order of precedence:
** Preceded by the ''[[Castle of Good Hope Decoration]] (CGH)''.
** Succeeded by the ''[[Woltemade Decoration for Bravery Gold]]''.<ref name="Gazette 15093">Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 15093, Pretoria, 3 September 1993</ref>

;South African National Defence Force from 27 April 1994:
*Official SANDF order of precedence:
** Succeeded by the ''[[Gold Star for Bravery]] (GSB)''.<ref name="Gazette 27376"/>

*Official national order of precedence:
** Succeeded by the ''[[Woltemade Decoration for Bravery Gold]]''.<ref name="Gazette 27376">Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, ISBN 9771682584003 27376</ref>

;South African National Defence Force from 27 April 2003:
*Official SANDF order of precedence:
** Succeeded by the ''[[Gold Star for Bravery]] (GSB)''.<ref name="Gazette 27376"/>

*Official national order of precedence:
** Preceded by the ''[[Order of Mapungubwe Platinum]] (OMP)''.
** Succeeded by the ''[[Woltemade Decoration for Bravery Gold]]''.<ref name="Gazette 27376"/>

==Description==
;Obverse
The Honoris Crux Gold is a silver-gilt Maltese cross that fits in a circle 45 millimetres in diameter, with two swords in [[saltire]] surmounted by a circular protea wreath, the arms of the cross in green enamel, with a roundel in the centre tierced horizontally in the orange, white and blue bands of the national flag, framed in a double silver circle containing 24 stones.<ref name="SAMA">{{cite book | title=South African Military Awards 1912-1987 | publisher=South African National Museum of Military History | author=Monick, S | year=1988 | pages=49}}</ref> Apart from being silver-gilt instead of silver, it is identical to the [[Honoris Crux Silver]] in all respects.

;Reverse
The reverse has the [[:File:Coat of Arms of South Africa (1932-2000).svg|pre-1994 South African Coat of Arms]], with the decoration number underneath.<ref name="SAMA"/>

;Bar
The bar is of silver-gilt with a miniature replica of the Maltese cross embossed in the centre.

;Ribbon
The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide, orange with a single 1 millimetre wide white band in the centre.<ref name="SAMA"/>

==Discontinuation==
The conferment of the decoration was discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003, when the Honoris Crux Gold was replaced by the new [[Nkwe ya Gauta]] (NG).<ref name="SADF 1975-2003"/>

==Recipients==
==Recipients==
In respect of some of the recipients, where available, the actions they were cited for follow below the table since inclusion in the table itself is impractical.
Since inclusion in the table itself is impractical, the actions cited for follow below the table.


{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Name
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Name
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Rank
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Rank
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | HCS no.
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | HCG no.
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Date of action
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Date of action
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Unit
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Unit
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Service<br>Arm
!scope="row"; style="background-color: #ACD1E9;" | Service<br>Arm
|-
|-
|De Wet, Christoffel H. [[Honoris Crux Gold#Actions cited for|♥]]
|Swanepoel, Pieter Arnoldus
|[[Corporal|Cpl]]
|001 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|abbr=on|1975|November|11}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|2 SAI Bn
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|Van Niekerk, Hermanus
|[[2nd Lieutenant|2 Lt]]
|[[2nd Lieutenant|2 Lt]]
|002 <ref name=Uys183>{{cite book|last=Uys|first=Ian|title=Cross of Honour|year=1992|publisher=Uys Publishers|page=183|isbn=0-9583173-2-1}}</ref>
|001 <ref name=Uys>{{cite book|last=Uys|first=Ian|title=Cross of Honour|year=1992|publisher=Uys Publishers|page=183|isbn=0-9583173-2-1}}</ref>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1975-12-26}}
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|abbr=on|1975|November|23}}<ref name=SAF1>{{cite web|title=S A Forces|url=http://www.samagte.co.za/weermag/hc/bravery.html|work=Recipients of SADF Bravery Awards}}</ref>
|2nd Fd Eng Rgt, [[South African Army|SAEC]]
|14 Fd Rgt
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Wessels, David Eric
|Wannenburg, Frederick Gerhardus {{KIA}}
|[[2nd Lieutenant|2 Lt]]
|[[2nd Lieutenant|2 Lt]]
|003 <ref name=Uys183/>
|002 <ref name=Uys/><ref name=MedalRoll/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|abbr=on|1975|December|7}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1975-12-28}}
|2nd Fd Eng Rgt, [[South African Engineering Corps|SAEC]]
|1 Recce Rgt
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Fernando, Gabriel [[Honoris Crux Gold#Actions cited for|♥]]
|Piccione, Kevin Bruce
|[[Trooper (rank)|Tpr]]
|004 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1975|December|26}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|1 SSB
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|Rawlins, Vincent R.
|[[Corporal|Cpl]]
|[[Corporal|Cpl]]
|003 <ref name=Uys/><ref>{{cite web|title=History of the South African Special Forces|url=http://www.samagte.co.za/weermag/spesmagte/speshistory.html}}</ref>
|005 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1976|January|3}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1980-08-01}}
|[[South African Special Forces Brigade|5 Recce Rgt]], [[South African Infantry Corps|SAIC]]
|3 SAI Bn
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|-
|Walker, Arthur W. [[Honoris Crux Gold#Actions cited for|♥]]
|Ward, William James Harold
|[[Staff Sergeant|S Sgt]]
|006 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1976|March|10}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|2 Recce Rgt
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|Childs, Perry James
|[[Lieutenant|Lt]]
|[[Lieutenant|Lt]]
|004 <ref name=Uys/><ref name=HCOB>{{cite web|title=Honoris Crux — Our Brave|url=http://www.samagte.co.za/weermag/hc/bravery.html}}</ref>
|007 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1976|March|27}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1981-01-15}}
|AFB Ondangwa
|[[17 Squadron SAAF|17 Sqn]]
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|Meerholz, Cornelius Alwyn Johannes
|[[Captain (land)|Capt]]
|008 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1977|October|28}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|1 Recce Rgt
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|Hogan, Leo Anthony
|[[Rifleman|Rfn]]
|009 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1977|November|9}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|3 Para Bn
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|Costa, Feliciano ♥
|[[Rifleman|Rfn]]
|010 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1979|April|22}}<ref name=SAMW1/>
|32 Bn
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|Breytenbach, Cornelius Noël
|[[Commandant|Cmdt]]
|011 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1979|September|1}}<ref name=SAF1/><ref group="note">Later awarded the Honoris Crux</ref>
|[[19 Squadron SAAF|19 Sqn]]
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|Stannard, Richard John
|[[Lieutenant|Lt]]
|012 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1981|January|28}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|1 Recce Rgt
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|Lewer, Richard Campbell McNeillie ♥
|[[Major|Maj]]
|013 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1981|August|23}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|[[8 Squadron SAAF|8 Sqn]]
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|-
|Walker, Arthur W. [[Honoris Crux Gold#Actions cited for|♥]]
|Botes, Christo Wilhelm ♥
|[[Sergeant|Sgt]]
|[[Captain (OF-2)|Capt]]
|014 <ref name=Uys183/>
|Bar to HCG<ref name=Uys/><ref name=HCOB/><ref name=SAMW2/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1981|December|29}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1981-12-29}}
|AFB Ondangwa
|AFB Ondangwa
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|-
|Whiley, P.B. [[Honoris Crux Gold#Actions cited for|♥]]
|Barnes, Leslie Edward
|[[Sergeant|Sgt]]
|[[Able Seaman]]
|015 <ref name=Uys183/>
|005 <ref name=Uys/><ref name=MedalRoll/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1983|May|20}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1991-08-04}}
|[[South African Navy|SAS Scorpion]]
|MRU
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|Bantjes, Alexander Petrus
|[[Corporal|Cpl]]
|016 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1984|March|19}} <ref name=SAF1/>
|MRU
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|Hashomwenda, Dawie
|[[Rifleman|Rfn]]
|017 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1985|February|6}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|101 Bn
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|Van Zyl, Hendrik Gideon
|[[Lieutenant|Lt]]
|018 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1985|February|11}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|Spec Serv HQ
|[[South African Military Health Service|SAMS]]
|-
|Diedericks, André HC ([[Honoris Crux (1975)|HC 1976]])
|[[Major|Maj]]
|019 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1985|June|1}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|Spec Forces HQ
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|Steyn, Jacobus Frederik
|[[Major|Maj]]
|020 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1987|January|1}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|NC Command
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|Roux, Anton Louis
|[[Lance Corporal|L Cpl]]
|021 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1987|February|28}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|10 Med Gp
|[[South African Military Health Service|SAMS]]
|-
|Venter, Johannes Antonie
|[[Lance Corporal|L Cpl]]
|022 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1987|September|6}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|44 Bde Mil Int
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|De Gouveia, Johnny J.H.
|[[Sergeant|Sgt]]
|023 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1987|September|20}}
|1 Recce Rgt
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|Badenhorst, Johannes Jacobus
|[[Sapper|Spr]]
|024 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1988|April|23}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|13 Fd Eng Regt
|[[South African Army|SA Army]]
|-
|Slade, Alan Mark
|[[Captain (land)|Capt]]
|025 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1989|April|1}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|[[22 Squadron SAAF|22 Sqn]]
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|Frederikson, Theodore Kurt
|[[Sergeant|Sgt]]
|026 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1989|April|1}}<ref name=SAF1/>
|[[31 Squadron SAAF|31 Sqn]]
|[[South African Air Force|SAAF]]
|-
|Scoular, Gary Ian ♥
|[[Leading Seaman|L Sea]]
|027 <ref name=Uys183/>
|{{dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1991|August|4}}
|SAS Scorpion
|[[South African Navy|SAN]]
|[[South African Navy|SAN]]
|-
|-
|}
|}


==Actions cited for==
Note 1: {{KIA}} denotes posthumous award.<br>
Note 2: ♥ denotes that the action cited for follows below.


;De Wet, Christoffel H.
==Actions cited for==
Second Lieutenant De Wet was the first recipient of the Honoris Crux Gold. He was cited for clearing a road of landmines while under enemy fire in Angola.<ref name=SAMW1>{{cite web|title=South African Medal Website|url=http://hwmw.bravehost.com/4-def.htm|work=South African Orders, Decorations, & Medals A-Z}}</ref>


;Fernando, Gabriel
;Botes, Christo Wilhelm
Awarded for deeds of gallantry on five separate occasions in 1980.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the South African Special Forces|url=http://www.samagte.co.za/weermag/spesmagte/speshist</ref>
Botes was the flight engineer on the helicopter mission with [[Arthur W. Walker|Capt Arthur Walker]] HCG and Bar. Awarded for life threatening actions when they landed their helicopter to rescue the crew (Lt Serge Bovie and Sgt Dolf van Rensburg) of a downed Alouette III helicopter whilst under intense enemy fire.<ref>Bagshawe (1990), p. 68</ref>


;Walker, Arthur W.
;Costa, Feliciano
Lieutenant Walker was cited for the HCG for risking his life during a night operation in Angola, by turning on the lights of his helicopter to draw enemy fire away from another helicopter.<ref name=SAMW2>{{cite web|title=South African Medal Website|url=http://samw.hwmw.net46.net/mil75.htm|work=South African Orders, Decorations, & Medals A-Z}}</ref>
Awarded for action with enemy insurgents 16&nbsp;km North of the Angolan border during a succession of interlinked firefights, where Rfn Costa repeatedly attacked and killed enemy insurgents using grenades after his RPD had been damaged by enemy fire. He was the first member of the SADF to be presented with the HCS at a medal parade in the operational area.<ref>{{cite web|title=Honoris Crux|url=http://flecha.co.uk/honoris_crux.html|work=Rifleman Feliciano Costa}}</ref>


Captain Walker was cited for the award of the [[Honoris Crux Diamond]], but instead awarded the Bar to the HCG for landing in enemy territory to search for on foot and rescue the crew of a helicopter that had been shot down. He is the most highly decorated SADF member of the 1966-1989 Border War.<ref name=SAMW2/>
;Lewer, Richard Campbell McNeillie (Dick)
Awarded for close air support to an ambushed [[South West African Territorial Force#Military Units|31 Batallion]] company close to [[Xangongo]], deployed as a stopper group for the opening of [[Operation Protea]]. Lewer repeatedly attacked a large force of [[SWAPO]]/[[Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola|FAPLA]] elements, who had pinned down a SADF company, in his single seat [[Aermacchi MB-326|Impala Mk II]]. Operating alone and at night, his continued attacks allowed the company to withdraw to safety.<ref>Bagshawe (1990), pp. 21-22</ref>


;Whiley, P.B.
;Scoular, Gary Ian
Awarded for rescue actions during the sinking of the [[MTS Oceanos]] off the Transkei Wild Coast.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Heroes honoured with medals|url=http://m24arg02.naspers.com/argief/berigte/dieburger/1991/08/31/2/7.html|newspaper=Die Burger|date=31 August 1991}}</ref>
Able Seaman Whiley was awarded the HCG for his action to search for possibly trapped passengers in the listing and sinking ship [[MTS Oceanos]] off the Transkei Wild Coast on 4 August 1991.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dié helde word met medaljes vereer|url=http://m24arg02.naspers.com/argief/berigte/dieburger/1991/08/31/2/7.html|newspaper=Die Burger|date=31 August 1991}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 222: Line 174:


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Honoris Crux (1952)]]
* [[British and Commonwealth orders and decorations]]
* [[Honoris Crux (1975)]]
* [[South African military decorations]]
* [[Honoris Crux Diamond]]
* [[Honoris Crux Silver]]
* [[South African honours system]]
* [[South African military decorations]]
* [[South African military decorations order of precedence]]


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* Alexander, E. G. M., Barron G. K. B. and Bateman, A. J. (1986). ''South African Orders, Decorations and Medals''. Human and Rousseau.
* 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.
* Monick, S, (1988). ''South African Military Awards 1912-1987''. South African National Museum of Military History.
* Uys, Ian. (1992). ''Cross of Honour''. Uys Publishers.


[[Category:Military awards and decorations of South Africa]]
[[Category:Military awards and decorations of South Africa]]

Revision as of 14:24, 4 May 2014

This page is about the Honoris Crux Gold. For other uses, see Honoris Crux.

Honoris Crux Gold
TypeMilitary decoration for bravery
CountrySouth Africa  South Africa
EligibilityAll Ranks
Post-nominalsHCG
Campaign(s)1966-1989 Border War
StatusDiscontinued in 2003
Established1975
Ribbon bar
Precedence
Next (higher)
SADF precedence:[1]
Next (lower)
SADF precedence:[1]
SANDF precedence:[2]

The Honoris Crux Gold (Gold Cross of Honour) is a military decoration for bravery that was instituted by the Republic of South Africa in 1975.

The Honoris Crux Gold, post-nominal letters HCG, was in use from 1 July 1975 and was awarded to members of the South African Defence Force for outstanding acts of bravery while in extreme danger. It was the second most senior in a set of four classes of Honoris Crux decorations that replaced the discontinued Honoris Crux of 1952.[3][4]

The South African military

The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994 it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).[5]

Orders, decorations and medals

In April 1952 a series of military decorations and medals was instituted, consisting of substitutes for many of the British and Commonwealth awards which had earlier been used. More decorations and medals, as well as an emblem for being mentioned in dispatches, were added between 1953 and 1970. In July 1975 the military decorations and medals of the Republic were revised. Some decorations and medals were carried over from the earlier series of 1952-1975 and new awards were instituted, followed by more between 1987 and 1991. Finally, all but one of these earlier awards were discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003, when a new set of nine decorations and medals was instituted to replace them.[4][5][6][7][8]

Awarding authority

Until 1958 the top three awards were reserved for conferment by the Queen while the rest were awarded by the Governor-General, but in 1958 the Governor-General was authorised to also award the top three. In 1961 the State President became the awarding authority, and in 1994 the President.[5]

Award criteria for the Honoris Crux Gold

The Honoris Crux Gold, post-nominal letters HCG, was awarded to members of the South African Defence Force for outstanding acts of bravery while in extreme danger. A Bar could be awarded for a further similar deed of bravery. It was the third most senior of a set of four classes of Honoris Crux decorations, the Honoris Crux Diamond, Honoris Crux Gold, Honoris Crux Silver and Honoris Crux that replaced the discontinued Honoris Crux of 1952.[4]

Order of precedence

The position of the Honoris Crux Gold in the official order of precedence was revised twice to accommodate the institution or addition of new decorations and medals, first with the integration into the South African National Defence Force in 1994 and again with the institution of a new set of awards in 2003.

South African Defence Force until 26 April 1994
South African National Defence Force from 27 April 1994
South African National Defence Force from 27 April 2003

Description

Obverse

The Honoris Crux Gold is a silver-gilt Maltese cross that fits in a circle 45 millimetres in diameter, with two swords in saltire surmounted by a circular protea wreath, the arms of the cross in green enamel, with a roundel in the centre tierced horizontally in the orange, white and blue bands of the national flag, framed in a double silver circle containing 24 stones.[9] Apart from being silver-gilt instead of silver, it is identical to the Honoris Crux Silver in all respects.

Reverse

The reverse has the pre-1994 South African Coat of Arms, with the decoration number underneath.[9]

Bar

The bar is of silver-gilt with a miniature replica of the Maltese cross embossed in the centre.

Ribbon

The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide, orange with a single 1 millimetre wide white band in the centre.[9]

Discontinuation

The conferment of the decoration was discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003, when the Honoris Crux Gold was replaced by the new Nkwe ya Gauta (NG).[4]

Recipients

Since inclusion in the table itself is impractical, the actions cited for follow below the table.

Name Rank HCG no. Date of action Unit Service
Arm
De Wet, Christoffel H. ♥ 2 Lt 001 [10] 26 Dec 1975 2nd Fd Eng Rgt, SAEC SA Army
Wessels, David Eric 2 Lt 002 [10][11] 28 Dec 1975 2nd Fd Eng Rgt, SAEC SA Army
Fernando, Gabriel ♥ Cpl 003 [10][12] 1 Aug 1980 5 Recce Rgt, SAIC SA Army
Walker, Arthur W. ♥ Lt 004 [10][13] 15 Jan 1981 AFB Ondangwa SAAF
Walker, Arthur W. ♥ Capt Bar to HCG[10][13][14] 29 Dec 1981 AFB Ondangwa SAAF
Whiley, P.B. ♥ Able Seaman 005 [10][11] 4 Aug 1991 SAS Scorpion SAN

Actions cited for

De Wet, Christoffel H.

Second Lieutenant De Wet was the first recipient of the Honoris Crux Gold. He was cited for clearing a road of landmines while under enemy fire in Angola.[15]

Fernando, Gabriel

Awarded for deeds of gallantry on five separate occasions in 1980.[16]

Walker, Arthur W.

Lieutenant Walker was cited for the HCG for risking his life during a night operation in Angola, by turning on the lights of his helicopter to draw enemy fire away from another helicopter.[14]

Captain Walker was cited for the award of the Honoris Crux Diamond, but instead awarded the Bar to the HCG for landing in enemy territory to search for on foot and rescue the crew of a helicopter that had been shot down. He is the most highly decorated SADF member of the 1966-1989 Border War.[14]

Whiley, P.B.

Able Seaman Whiley was awarded the HCG for his action to search for possibly trapped passengers in the listing and sinking ship MTS Oceanos off the Transkei Wild Coast on 4 August 1991.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 15093, Pretoria, 3 September 1993
  2. ^ a b c d e Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, ISBN 9771682584003 27376
  3. ^ South African Medals Website - Post-nominal Letters
  4. ^ a b c d South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003
  5. ^ a b c South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975
  6. ^ Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1952-1975
  7. ^ Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1975-2003
  8. ^ Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003
  9. ^ a b c Monick, S (1988). South African Military Awards 1912-1987. South African National Museum of Military History. p. 49.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Uys, Ian (1992). Cross of Honour. Uys Publishers. p. 183. ISBN 0-9583173-2-1.
  11. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference MedalRoll was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ "History of the South African Special Forces".
  13. ^ a b "Honoris Crux — Our Brave".
  14. ^ a b c "South African Medal Website". South African Orders, Decorations, & Medals A-Z.
  15. ^ "South African Medal Website". South African Orders, Decorations, & Medals A-Z.
  16. ^ {{cite web|title=History of the South African Special Forces|url=http://www.samagte.co.za/weermag/spesmagte/speshist
  17. ^ "Dié helde word met medaljes vereer". Die Burger. 31 August 1991.

See also

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.
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