Andries Putter

Vice Admiral Andries Petrus Putter SSAS SD MMM (2 December 1935 – 17 July 2014)[1] was a South African military commander who served as Chief of the South African Navy twice, first from 1982 to 1985 and again from 1989 to 1990.[2] He was born in Brits in 1935.[3][4]

Vice Admiral

Andries Petrus Putter

SSAS SD MMM
Nickname(s)Dries
Born(1935-12-02)2 December 1935
Brits, Transvaal, Union of South Africa
Died17 July 2014(2014-07-17) (aged 78)
Mossel Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
Allegiance South Africa
 South Africa
Service/branch South African Navy
Years of service1954–1990
RankVice Admiral
Commands held
  • Chief of the Navy
  • Chief of Naval Staff
  • SAS Pretoria
AwardsStar of South Africa SSAS Southern Cross Medal SM Military Merit Medal MMM Pro Patria Medal ' Good Service Medal ' Good Service Medal ' Permanent Force Good Service Medal ' Order of the Cloud and Banner ORB Order of the Cloud and Banner ORB
Spouse(s)Gerda Fourie (Wife)

Military career

He joined the South African Navy in 1954[5] He completed a year’s training at the Saldanha Naval Gymnasium in the same year. He completed a Bachelor of Science Degree through the University of Stellenbosch, as the Military Academy had not yet been established.[5] He attended a torpedo anti-submarine course in England, before joining the Frigate SAS President Kruger as a torpedo anti-submarine officer.[6] He went to England for the building of the SAS President Pretorius and served as the ASW officer until 1966 when he was appointed OC of the Naval Anti Submarine School.[7] He was then appointed Staff Officer Training until 1969 when he commanded the SAS Port Elizabeth and became Senior Officer of the Minesweeper Flotilla.[8] He then served as Staff Officer Anti Submarine Warfare at Naval HQ before attending the Joint Staff Course at the National Defense College. On completing the course he remained on staff until 1977 when he was appointed to the staff of the Chief of the SADF, where he stayed for three years. [7] He was promoted to Commodore in October 1979 and returned to the Navy as Officer Commanding Naval Command Natal. He briefly returned to Defence staff before being promoted to Rear Admiral and in 1982 he was appointed Chief of Naval Staff Operations,[4] and in 1985 as the Chief of the Navy.[2]

In 1985, he was appointed as Chief of Defence Intelligence, and in 1989, was appointed Chief of the Navy again. Following the Border War, the Navy budget was drastically reduced and Putter made the decision to retrench a large number of personnel.[6]

He retired from the Navy shortly afterwards in 1990. He died at the Bayview Hospital in Mossel Bay on 17 July 2014.

Awards and decorations

See also

References
  1. Jansen, Julian (19 July 2014). "Oudhoof van vloot sterf toe hart, niere ingee Saterdag 19 Julie 2014". Die Beeld. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  2. Engelbrecht, Leon (21 January 2010). "Fact file: Chiefs of the South African Navy". DefenceWeb. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  3. "Sub-Saharan Africa Report - Google Books". 1983. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  4. "Navy Chief retires after 29yrs". Die Burger. 22 March 1989. Archived from the original on 24 July 2014.
  5. Gouden, Manny. "A Leader, a Diplomat and a Gentleman". SA Navy. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  6. Barron, Chris (14 July 2014). "Obituary: Dries Putter - Navy chief and apartheid regime securocrat". TimesLive. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  7. Jersich, J. H. (October 1985). "New Chief of the SA Navy". Paratus.
  8. Uys, Ian (1992). South African Military Who's Who 1452-1992. Fortress Publishers. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.
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