Les Rudman
Major General Les Rudman PVD SD SM MMM SAStC was a General Officer in the South African Army from the infantry.
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Les Rudman | |
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Birth name | Lesley |
Born | 18 March 1955 |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1974–2014 |
Rank | Major General |
Unit | 44 Parachute Brigade |
Commands held |
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Battles/wars | South African Border War |
Awards | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Spouse(s) | Elsje Rudman[1] |
Other work | Security Consultant |
Military career
General Rudman was an honorary Special Forces Operator, Pathfinder and parachutist instructor. He was appointed to the post of Deputy Chief of the South African Army on 1 October 2011.[2][3][4] He was awarded the Sword of Honour at the South African Military Academy in 1976. He retired at the end of 2014 and was succeeded by Maj Gen Lawrence Smith.[5] He served at 31 Battalion as Company Commander, 32 Battalion with the Pathfinders and for this he was awarded the Pro Virtute Decoration, 1 Parachute Battalion and Brigade Commander 44 Parachute Brigade while still based in Wallmansthall. He was Army attaché to Washington, DC where he was replaced by Col Chris Gildenhuys from the Armoured corps. He was appointed as Commanding General of the Special Forces Brigade reporting to Lt Gen Deon Ferreira and Lt Gen Godfrey Ngwenya, taking over from Brig Gen Borries Bornman. After this prestigious posting, he was promoted to the rank of major general as Chief Director Corporate Services in the Army Headquarters successively under Lt Gen Gilbert Ramano and Lt Gen Solly Shoke. His last appointment was as Deputy Chief of the South African Army.
Honours and awards
Pro Virtute Decoration (PVD)
Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM)
Military Merit Medal (MMM)
Pro Patria Medal
Southern Africa Medal
General Service Medal (South Africa)
Unitas (Unity) Medal
Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service) (40 Year Clasp)
Good Service Medal (Gold (30 Years))
Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years))
Legion of Merit (Officer) (LOM)
Peacemaker Medal (Brazil)
(Honorary) |
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References
- Netshirembe, Lufuno (November 2012). "May the best horse win …" (PDF). South African Soldier. 19 (11): 42. ISSN 1609-5014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- "New defence force appointments". iol.co.za. SAPA. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- "Appointments and/or Promotions of Lieutenant Generals, Admirals and Major Generals". dod.mil.za. RSA Department of Defence. 2 October 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- Meyer, Merle, Maj (March 2012). "Friday 13th Getting a new meaning" (PDF). South African Soldier. 19 (3): 8. ISSN 1609-5014.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Helfrich, Kim (8 January 2015). "Senior SANDF promotions". defenceweb.co.za. DefenceWeb. Retrieved 9 January 2015.