Servaas van Breda Theron (9 May 1918 – 14 March 1986) was a South African World War II fighter ace, credited with 10 'kills'.[1]
Servaas Theron | |
|---|---|
 Theron (right) | |
| Born | 9 May 1918 Tulbagh, Western Cape |
| Died | 14 March 1986 (aged 67) Pretoria, Gauteng |
| Allegiance |  South Africa |
| Service | South African Air Force |
| Years of service | 1938–1970 |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Service number | P102649 |
| Commands |
|
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | |
World War II
editHe joined the Permanent Force in 1938. After flight training he was posted to 1 Squadron SAAF in 1940, before being posted as a flight commander to 2 Squadron SAAF in October that year. He later went to 3 Squadron SAAF, staying there until May 1941. While there he scored 5 aerial victories and took part in destroying 8 on the ground, earning a DFC in March 1941.[1] On 13 March 1941, Theron landed alongside a Hawker Hurricane that had run out of fuel and siphoned petrol from his plane into the stranded plane and both planes made a getaway.[2] On their return to base, they found the airfield under attack. Both Theron and the pilot he rescued shot down a Fiat CR.42.[2]
He returned to South Africa, becoming Chief Flying Instructor at the Central Flying School in 1943. He then went to the Mediterranean, joining No. 450 Squadron RAAF for a short period. In August 1943 he took command of 250 Squadron until April 1944. He was awarded the DSO in June 1944.[1]
Later career
editAfter the war he returned to South Africa and stayed in the South African Air Force. In 1946 he was awarded the Air Force Cross.[3] He went on to command 2 Squadron SAAF and served in the Korean War from September 1950 to March 1951, flying Mustangs. He received a Bar to his DSO for his service in Korea.[1]
He was then posted as an instructor at AFB Langebaanweg. He served as Director of Operations for the SAAF before his retirement in 1970.[1]
After retiring from the Air Force he became Chairman of Hawker Siddeley International.[4]
Awards and decorations
edit
Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
Southern Cross Medal (1952) (SM)
Korea Medal (South Africa)
Union Medal
Distinguished Service Order and Bar (DSO & Bar)
Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar (United Kingdom) (DFC & Bar)
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom) (AFC)- (Code: 1939_45Star Not found)
Africa Star
Defence Medal (United Kingdom)
War Medal 1939 – 1945 (Mentioned in Dispatches) (MID)
Africa Service Medal (WWII)
United Nations Service Medal (Korea)
Korean War Service Medal
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Shores, C; Williams C (15 July 2008). Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots. Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-898697-00-8.
- ^ a b Thomas, Andrew (2003). Hurricane Aces 1941 -1945. Osprey. p. 61. ISBN 978-1841766102.
- ^ "Supplement to the London Gazette" (PDF). 13 June 1946. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 February 2020.
- ^ Uys, Ian (1992). South African Military Who's Who 1452-1992. Fortress Publishers. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.