Denis Earp
Denis John Earp SSA SD SM SOE (7 June 1930[1][2]- 19 May 2019[3]) was a South African military commander, who held the post of Chief of the South African Air Force.
Denis John Earp | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 7 June 1930 Bloemfontein, South Africa |
| Died | 19 May 2019 (aged 88) Pretoria |
| Allegiance | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} South Africa |
| Service/ | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} South African Air Force |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | Chief of the Air Force |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
| Awards |    .gif){kind=small}  .gif){kind=small} .gif){kind=small}         |
Career
He attended Grey College, Bloemfontein, Military College in 1948[2] and joined the SAAF in 1950. After qualifying as a pilot he served in Korea with 2 Squadron SAAF. He was forced to bail out over enemy territory and was a POW for 23 months.[4]
Released in September 1953, he was posted to 1 Squadron till January 1957. Then he spent two years as an instructor at Central Flying Service Dunnottar before being appointed as a pilot attack instructor at the Air Operations School.[5]
In 1964 he spent time in England converting to Canberra light bombers and on his return served as a pilot at 12 (Canberra) Squadron at Waterkloof Air Force Base.[5]
In December 1967 he returned to 2 Squadron as commanding officer. Eighteen months later he was appointed commandant flying at Air Force Base Pietersburg and after that senior staff officer (air) of the Joint Combat Forces.[5]
His career took an unusual turn when he converted to helicopters and became officer commanding 17 Squadron at Air Force Base Waterkloof.[5]
After that he became senior staff officer operations at SAAF Headquarters, then director operations from 1 June 1976, to 1978 and director general operations at Defence Headquarters in the rank of major general from 19 June 1978.[5]
He served as Chief of the Air Force from 1984 to 1988[6]
His son, Lieutenant Michael Earp, was a helicopter pilot who was killed in the Border War on 5 January 1982.[7]: Chp8
Aircraft flown
- North American P-51 Mustang
- SAF Dassault Mirage 20000
Honours and awards
Gen Earp received the following Awards and Decorations:[1][8]
- 1987 – Star of South Africa (Gold) (SSAG)
- 1986 – Star of South Africa (Silver) (SSAS)
- 1976 – Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
- 1973 – Southern Cross Medal (1952) (SM)
- n.d. – South African Police Star for Outstanding Service (SOE)
- 1953 – Korea Medal (South Africa)
- Pro Patria Medal
- Good Service Medal (Gold (30 Years))
- Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
- Union Medal
- n.d. – United Nations Service Medal (Korea)
- n.d. – Korean War Service Medal
- 1952 – South Korea –
South Korean Order of Military Merit (Chungmu Cordon) with Silver Star (Korea, 1952)[1] - 1952 – US – Air Medal (with Oak leaf cluster)
- 1987 – Order of the Cloud and Banner (2nd Grade - with Grand Cordon) (ORB)
- n.d. – Chile – Gran Cruz Al Merito Aeronautico[1]
- n.d. – Paraguay – Al Merito Miltar[1]
References
- Hayes, S.V, ed. (1992). Who's Who of Southern Africa. Who's Who of Southern Africa C.C. p. 203. ISBN 0-620-15974-X.
- Geldenhuys, Genl. Jannie (2011). We were there. Kraal Publishers. p. 49. ISBN 978-0-9814009-8-3.
- "Former SAAF Chief Denis Earp dies". Defenceweb. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- Uys, Ian (1992). South African Military Who's Who 1452–1992. Fortress Publishers. p. 73. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.
- "The SADF: Supplement to the Financial Mail" (PDF). Financial Mail: 35. July 1987.
- "SADF.info".
- Lord, Dick (2012). From Fledgling to Eagle: The South African Air Force during the Border War (Kindle ed.). Solihull, England: Helion & Company Ltd. ISBN 978-0415350150.
- "Vyftien ontvang Ster van SA" [Fifteen receive Star of SA]. Die Burger (in Afrikaans). 5 March 1988. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.