Lieutenant-General Jacobus Verster SSA SM (1919–1981) was a South African military commander. He joined the South African Air Force in 1936, and served in World War II. He was Chief of the Air Force from 1967 to 1975.
Jacobus Pieter Verster | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname(s) | Joey |
| Born | 22 May 1919[1] Boksburg, South Africa |
| Died | 1981 (aged 61–62) |
| Allegiance |  South Africa |
| Service | South African Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1974 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands | Chief of the South African Air Force |
| Wars | World War II |
| Awards |       |
| Relations |
Trudie Brits (date missing) |
Military career
editHe was educated at al Rodean High School in Swartruggens and later Pretoria University and joined the Air Force in 1936 as a student pilot.[2]
He served in RAF Bomber Command at Hendon in World War II. He was shot down in North Africa in 1942[1] and was taken prisoner.
He served as Aide-de-Camp to the Governor General and the State President (1953–1962)[2] OC SAAF College 1961–1963. He was promoted to brigadier in 1963 and served as Military, Air and Naval Attaché to London from 1963–1966. As a Major General he was appointed as GOC Air Defence Group during January to November 1967. Chief of the Air Force from December 1967 until early retirement in 1974. He died in 1981.
Awards and decorations
edit
Star of South Africa (1952) (SSA)
Southern Cross Medal (1952) (SM)
1939–45 Star
Africa Star
War Medal 1939–1945
Africa Service Medal (WWII)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Uys, Ian (1992). South African Military Who's Who 1452-1992. Fortress Publishers. p. 255. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.
- ^ a b c Nöthling, C.J.; Meyers, E.M. (1982). "Leaders through the years (1912-1982)". Scientaria Militaria. 12 (2): 98.
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