Chris Le Roux
South African Army officer (1942–2021)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maj Gen Chris le Roux SD SM MMM is a retired General Officer from the South African Army. He was born in Dundee[1] and matriculated from Pinetown Boys' High School in 1963.[1]
Christoffel Erasmus le Roux | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Chris |
| Born | 20 April 1946 Dundee, Natal |
| Allegiance |  South Africa |
| Branch |  South African Army |
| Service years | 1964–2000 |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Unit | 1 Parachute Battalion |
| Commands |
|
| Conflicts | South African Border War |
| Awards |           |
| Spouse | Marlyna le Roux |
Military career
He joined the South African Defence Force in 1964[1] and completed infantry training. He was a student at the South African Military Academy from 1965 and graduated with a Bachelor of Military Science degree awarded by the University of Stellenbosch in 1967.[1]
He was commissioned as a lieutenant on 21 November 1967[1] and qualified as a static line paratrooper[2][3] on 9 October 1970. Officer Commanding 1 Parachute Battalion during 1984 to 1988.[1][4] Brigadier le Roux served as Officer Commanding Natal Command from 18 February 1995. He was promoted to rank of major general on 1 January 1996 and remained GOC Natal Command until 31 March 2000, the last person to hold that post.[1] GOC Regional Joint Task Force on 1 April to 31 December 2000. He went on early retirement on 31 December 2000.[1] He has remained actively involved in speaking about the military.[5][6]
Maj Gen Chris le Roux completed more than 300 parachute jumps[1] and was a qualified Freefall Instructor.
Honours and awards
 |
| Instructor, Freefall Qualified. Black on Thatch beige, Embossed. Large Black wings |
Medals
Southern Cross Decoration (SD) 
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))
Notes
- 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.
