Lieutenant General Reginald Otto SD & Bar SM MMM (9 July 1943[1] – 5 July 2022[2]) was a South African military commander, who held the post of Chief of the South African Army.[3]
Reginald Otto | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname(s) | Reg |
| Born | 9 July 1943 Krugersdorp, Transvaal Province, Union of South Africa |
| Died | July 5, 2022 (aged 78) |
| Allegiance |  South Africa |
| Service |  South African Army |
| Years of service | 1964–1998 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands | |
| Awards |             |
| Relations | 'Kowie' Jacoba Otto (nee Kleynhans) |
Military career
editHe joined the South African Army in 1964 after completing his schooling at Trumpsburg High School.[2] After Officer training at the Army Gymnasium he was appointed a 2nd lieutenant in 1 Special Service Battalion. He became Officer Commanding of 1 Special Service Battalion in January 1976. He also commanded the School of Armour from 11 January 1981 to 18 December 1983.[4]
He was promoted to Brigadier and OC Orange Free State Command.[5] He was later promoted to Major general and GOC Eastern Transvaal Command.[6]
Awards and decorations
editGeneral Otto was awarded the following:
Southern Cross Decoration (SD & Bar)
Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM)
Military Merit Medal (MMM)
Pro Patria Medal (South Africa) (with Cunene Clasp) [a]
Southern Africa Medal
General Service Medal (South Africa)
Unitas (Unity) Medal
Good Service Medal (Gold (30 Years))
Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years))
Legion of Merit (Commander) (LOM) (USA)
Order of the Cloud and Banner (4th Grade - with Special Cravat) (ORB) (Taiwan)
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Only the Cunene clasp was awarded, to members who served in Angola during Operation Savannah in 1975 and 1976. Recipients of the clasp wear a button, with the letter C encircled by a wreath, on the ribbon bar.
References
edit- ^ http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1994/12/20/2/6.html [dead link]
- ^ a b Lategan, Herman (9 July 2022). "'n Lewe - Reginald Otto: 'n Militaris se groot hart het ophou klop". Rapport. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
- ^ Engelbrecht, Leon (10 November 2008). "Fact file: Chiefs of the SA Army | defenceWeb". www.defenceweb.co.za. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
- ^ Gericke, Marietjie (30 March 2006). "Pantserskool vier 40 jaar van opleiding / School of Armour celebrates 40yrs of training". Volksblad. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ "Chronological Report" (PDF). Historical Papers. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
- ^ http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1992/12/4/9/19.html [bare URL]
 | This biographical article related to the South African military is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |