Name Johannes Geldenhuys Years of service 1954 – 1990 | Rank General Books A general's story | |
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Born 5 February 1935Kroonstad, Orange Free State Province, Union of South Africa ( 1935-02-05 ) Commands held Chief of the South African Defense Force (1985 – 1990)Chief of the South African Army (1980 – 1983)GOC South West Africa (1977 – 1980) Awards Star of South Africa (SSA) Southern Cross Decoration (SD) South African Police Star for Outstanding Service (SOE) Southern Cross Medal (SM) Military Merit Medal (MMM) Pro Patria Medal Good Service Medal, Gold (30 Years) Good Service Medal, Silver (20 Years) Permanent Force Good Service MedalKnight Order of Prince Henry (GCIH) (Portugal) Grand Cross of Order Military Merit (Paraguay) Order of the Cloud and Banner - with Grand Cordon (2nd Grade) (ORB)(Taiwan) Grand Star of Military Merit (Chile) | ||
SYND 11 2 80 INTERVIEW WITH GENERAL GELDENHUYS
General Johannes ('Jannie') Geldenhuys , is a former South African military commander who served as Chief of the South African Defence Force between 1985 and 1990.
Contents
- SYND 11 2 80 INTERVIEW WITH GENERAL GELDENHUYS
- UPITN 110280 GENERAL GELDENHUYSEN INTERVIEW
- Military career
- Medals and Decorations
- References
UPITN 11/02/80 GENERAL GELDENHUYSEN INTERVIEW
Military career
Born in Kroonstad on 5 February 1935, He obtained a BMil from the University of Pretoria before joining 1 Special Service Battalion. Later he went on to higher command in 1977, serving as commander of South West Africa Command, a post he held until 1980, when he served in the position of General Officer Commanding the South West African Territorial Force. After this he became Chief of the Army, before being promoted to the position of Chief of the South African Defence Force on 31 October 1985. In this role, he took part in negotiations that brought the Border War to an end in 1989, after 23 years of fighting.