Jacobus Verster

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Jacobus Pieter Verster

Nickname(s)Joey
Born(1919-05-22)22 May 1919[1]
Boksburg, South Africa
Died1981 (aged 61–62)
Allegiance South Africa
Service/branchSouth African Air Force
Years of service1939–1974
RankLieutenant General
Commands heldChief of the South African Air Force
WarsWorld War II
AwardsStar of South Africa SSA Southern Cross Medal SM 1939–45 Star ' Africa Star ' War Medal 1939–1945 ' Africa Service Medal (WWII) '
Relations
Trudie Brits
(date missing)

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.

Military career[edit]

He 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]

Military offices
Preceded by Chief of the South African Air Force
1967–1974
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Unknown
Aide-de-Camp to the Governor General and the State President[2]
1953–1962
Succeeded by
Unknown
Preceded by
Unknown
OC SAAF College
1961–1973
Succeeded by
Unknown
Preceded by
Unknown
Military, Air and Naval Attaché to London
1963–1966
Succeeded by
Unknown
Preceded by
Unknown
GOC Air Defence Group January to November 1967
January 1967–November 1967
Succeeded by
Unknown

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Uys, Ian (1992). South African Military Who's Who 1452-1992. Fortress Publishers. p. 255. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.
  2. ^ a b c Nöthling, C.J.; Meyers, E.M. (1982). "Leaders through the years (1912-1982)". Scientaria Militaria. 12 (2): 98.