Decoration Details

Sapper Johannes Badenhorst was awarded the Honis Crux Silver for his actions and bravery during Operation Packer. The mine laying operation along the Anhara Lipanda resulted in some casualties on 23 April. One of the sappers was killed when a booby trapped anti-personnel mine detonated. Three other sappers and seven UNITA soldiers were injured. Sapper Johannes Badenhorst entered the minefield - in a section which he had not helped lay and knew nothing about - to recover the most seriously wounded soldier. He then went back and defused several mines to enable the body of the dead man to be recovered. Badenhorst showed his courage again next day, when the engine of the sapper Ratel caught fire. Unable to extinguish the fire, the sappers abandoned the vehicle. Badenhorst got back in and threw out equipment and ammunition until the first 'cook-offs' drove him out. ["War In Angola", by Helmoed R”mer Heitman, p. 284]

Here we do not ONLY honour the recipient of the award, but also the circumstances and the other individuals without which the award would simply not have been possible. Even though we honour ONE PERSON's deeds, we must always remember that he did NOT operate alone and in isolation. Many unsung heroes made it possible for him to be there in those exact circumstances. So let us always remember ALL of them, especially those that paid with their lives and received no recognition. Please feel free to mention others that deserve to be remembered with, and as part of the actions of the recipient.

No Notes available at this time


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