Johannes Geldenhuys
| Johannes Geldenhuys SSAS, SD, SOE, SM, GCIH, ORB | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
5 February 1935 Kroonstad, Orange Free State Province, Union of South Africa |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} South Africa |
| Service/branch |
South African Army |
| Years of service | 1954 – 1990 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held |
|
| Battles/wars | Border War |
| Awards |
|
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General Johannes ('Jannie') Geldenhuys SSAS SD SOE SM GCIH ORB, is a former South African military commander who served as Chief of the South African Defence Force between 1985 and 1990.[1][2]
Military career
Born in Kroonstad on 5 February 1935,[1] He obtained a BMil from the University of Pretoria before joining 1 Special Service Battalion.[3]:77 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 the 31st of 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.[2]
Medals and Decorations
-
Star of South Africa (SSA)
-
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Southern Cross Medal (SM)
-
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Military Merit Medal (MMM)
-
Good Service Medal, Gold (30 Years)
-
Good Service Medal, Silver (20 Years)
- Knight
Order of Prince Henry (GCIH) (Portugal)
-
_-_ribbon_bar.png)
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)
References
- 1 2 "5 February 1935: General Jannie Geldenhuys is born". SA History.org. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
- 1 2 "Senior (High Office) Officers / Offisiere". SADF Info. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
- ↑ Uys, Ian (1992). South African Military Who's Who 1452-1992. Germiston: Fortress Publishers. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.
Further reading
- Geldenhuys, Jannie (2009). At the Front: A General's Account of South Africa's Border War. Johannesburg, South Africa: Jonathan Ball Publishers SA. ISBN 978-1-86842-331-6.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Constand Viljoen |
Chief of the South African Defence Force 1985 – 1990 |
Succeeded by Andreas Liebenberg |
| Preceded by Constand Viljoen |
Chief of the South African Army 1980 – 1985 |
Succeeded by Andreas Liebenberg |
| Preceded by Unknown |
GOC South West Africa 1977 – 1980 |
Succeeded by Unknown |
Chiefs of the South African military | |
|---|---|
| Chief of the Union Defence Force 1912–1957 .svg.png){kind=small} | |
| Commandant General SADF 1958–1973 .svg.png){kind=small} | |
| Chief of the SADF 1973–1994 | |
| Chief of the SANDF 1994–present | |
Chiefs of the South African Army | ||
|---|---|---|
| Director-General of Land Forces |  | |
| Army Chief of Staff | ||
| Chief of the Army | ||