| Louw Wepener Decoration | |
|---|---|
| File:Louw Wepener Decoration.jpg | |
| Awarded by South African Defence Force | |
| Country |
 South Africa |
| Type | Decoration |
| Eligibility | Military personnel |
| Awarded for | For acts of the most conspicuous courage or greatest heroism |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Post-nominals | LWD |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1952 |
| First awarded | 1961 |
| Last awarded | 1974 |
| Total awarded | 7[1] |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Castle of Good Hope Decoration[2] |
| Next (lower) | Star of South Africa (Decoration) |
 Ribbon: 35mm, orange and white stripes | |
The Louw Wepener Decoration was a South African military decoration that was in use from 1952 to 1975. It was awarded for "most conspicuous or greatest heroism, in circumstances of great danger", and was primarily a non-combat decoration.
History
This medal was instituted in honour of Louw Wepener who, in 1865 lost his life whilst leading his burghers in an attack on a stronghold on Thaba Bosigo in the Basuto Wars of 1858-1865.
Criteria
All ranks of SADF for acts of the most conspicuous courage or greatest heroism in circumstances of extreme danger', during war or peactime[3]
Description
- Obverse
The obverse depicts a mountain peak representing Thaba Bosigo with two men on horseback at its foot. Below the horsemen the words "Thaba Bosigo, 1865". Around the top circumference are the words "LOUW WEPENER" and around the bottom circumference the words "DECORATION : DEKORASIE"
- Reverse
The South African coat of arms. Decorations minted before 31 May 1961 have Queen Elizabeth II's royal cipher above the arms.
- Ribbon
The ribbon is divided into eleven stripes alternately orange and white.
Recipients
Indicates posthumous award.
See also
- British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
- South African military decorations
References
- ↑ Alexander, E. G. M., Barron G. K. B. and Bateman, A. J. (1986). South African Orders, Decorations and Medals. Human and Rousseau. p. 155.
- ↑ "South African Military History Society - Journal- ORDER OF PRECEDENCE OF ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MEDALS". Samilitaryhistory.org. http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol011gr.html. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
- ↑ Uys, Ian. Cross of Honour. pp. 168.
- ↑ http://samw.hwmw.net46.net/mil52.htm
- ↑ Uys, Ian. Cross of Honour. pp. 3.
- ↑ Uys, Ian. Cross of Honour. pp. 8.
- ↑ Uys, Ian. Cross of Honour. pp. 15.
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.
External links
| Medal Number | Name | Service | Rank | Unit | Date of Award | Action cited for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nel, D. van H. | SA Army | 2nd Lieutenant | Special Service Battalion | 19 May 1961 | Climbed aboard a burning armoured car at a public event, to extinguish the fire and prevent an explosion.[4] | |
| Van Aswegen, W.A.G. | SA Army | Sergeant | Special Service Battalion | 19 May 1961 | Same citation as 2Lt Nel | |
| Stephens, F.P. | SA Army | Sergeant | SA Corps of Military Police | 1 Nov 1963 | Defused an explosive device that had been placed on a railway line. | |
| Van Wyk, H.H. | SA Army | Rifleman | 1 SA Infantry Battalion | 1 Nov 1963 | Jumped onto the wing of an incoming light aircraft with a damaged wheel, to help the pilot land safely. | |
| van Heerden, J.H. | SA Army | Commandant | Middle Karoo Commando | 15 Aug 1969 | Threw a live grenade clear of training group at risk of his own life.[5] | |
| Britz, J.P. | SA Air Force | Major | 1 Squadron | 19 Mar 1970 | Prevented his stricken aircraft from crashing into a built-up area by staying at the controls instead of escaping by parachute.[6] | |
| Zeelie, F.J. | SA Army | Lieutenant | 1 Recce Commando | 6 Dec 1974 | Single-handedly stormed an enemy position (he was the first SADF casualty in the Border War[7] |
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