Honoris Crux Gold

TypeMilitary decoration for bravery

Awarded forOutstanding bravery in extreme danger

Country

Presented bythe State President

Honoris Crux Gold

Type	Military decoration for bravery
Awarded for	Outstanding bravery in extreme danger
Country	South Africa
Presented by	the State President
Eligibility	All Ranks
Post-nominals	HCG
Campaign(s)	1966-1989 Border War
Status	Discontinued in 1992
Established	1975
First award	1975
Final award	1991
Total	5 and 1 Bar

Ribbon bar

SADF pre-1994 & SANDF post-2002 orders of wear
Next (higher)	SADF precedence: Castle of Good Hope Decoration SANDF precedence: Victoria Cross
Next (lower)	SADF succession: Star of South Africa, Gold SANDF succession: Gold Star for Bravery

The Honoris Crux Gold (Gold Cross of Honour), post-nominal letters HCG, is a South African military decoration for bravery which was instituted in 1975. It was awarded to members of the South African Defence Force for outstanding acts of bravery while in extreme danger. It was the second most senior in a set of four classes of Honoris Crux decorations which replaced the discontinued Honoris Crux of 1952.^[1]

The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994 it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).^[2]

Institution

The Honoris Crux Gold (Gold Cross of Honour), post-nominal letters HCG, was instituted by the State President on 1 July 1975.^[2]

Award criteria

The decoration could be awarded to members of the South African Defence Force for outstanding acts of bravery while in extreme danger. A Bar could be awarded for a further similar deed of bravery. It was the second most senior of a set of four classes of Honoris Crux decorations, the Honoris Crux Diamond, Honoris Crux Gold, Honoris Crux Silver and Honoris Crux, which together replaced the discontinued Honoris Crux of 1952.^[3]

Order of wear

The position of the Honoris Crux Gold in the official order of precedence was revised four times after 1975 to accommodate the inclusion or institution of new decorations and medals, first with the discontinuation of the Honoris Crux Diamond (HCD) on 3 September 1993, then upon the integration into the South African National Defence Force on 27 April 1994, again in April 1996 when decorations and medals were belatedly instituted for the two former non-statutory forces, the Azanian People's Liberation Army and Umkhonto we Sizwe, and finally with the institution of a new set of awards on 27 April 2003.^[4]^[5]

South African Defence Force until 3 September 1993

Official SADF order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Honoris Crux Diamond (HCD).
- Succeeded by the Star of South Africa, Gold (SSA).^[4]
Official national order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Honoris Crux Diamond (HCD).
- Succeeded by the Woltemade Decoration for Bravery, Gold.^[4]

South African Defence Force until 26 April 1994

Official SADF order of precedence, after the Honoris Crux Diamond (HCD) had been officially discontinued:
- Preceded by the Castle of Good Hope Decoration (CGH).
- Succeeded by the Star of South Africa, Gold (SSA).^[4]
Official national order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Castle of Good Hope Decoration (CGH).
- Succeeded by the Woltemade Decoration for Bravery, Gold.^[4]

South African National Defence Force from 27 April 1994

Official SANDF order of precedence, after the Castle of Good Hope Decoration (CGH) had been officially discontinued:
- Preceded by the Victoria Cross (VC) of the United Kingdom.^[6]
- Succeeded by the Star of South Africa, Gold (SSA) of the Republic of South Africa.^[5]
Official national order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Victoria Cross (VC) of the United Kingdom.^[6]
- Succeeded by the Woltemade Decoration for Bravery, Gold of the Republic of South Africa.^[5]

South African National Defence Force from April 1996

Official SANDF order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Victoria Cross (VC) of the United Kingdom.^[6]
- Succeeded by the Gold Star for Bravery (GSB) of the Azanian People's Liberation Army.^[5]
Official national order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Victoria Cross (VC) of the United Kingdom.^[6]
- Succeeded by the Woltemade Decoration for Bravery, Gold of the Republic of South Africa.^[5]

South African National Defence Force from 27 April 2003

Official SANDF order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Victoria Cross (VC) of the United Kingdom.^[6]
- Succeeded by the Gold Star for Bravery (GSB) of the Azanian People's Liberation Army.^[5]
Official national order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Order of Mapungubwe, Platinum (OMP) of the Republic of South Africa.
- Succeeded by the Woltemade Decoration for Bravery, Gold of the Republic of South Africa.^[5]

Description

Obverse

The Honoris Crux Gold is a silver-gilt Maltese cross which fits in a circle 45 millimetres in diameter, with two swords in saltire surmounted by a circular protea wreath, the arms of the cross in green enamel, with a roundel in the centre tierced horizontally in the orange, white and blue bands of the national flag, framed in a double silver circle containing 24 stones.^[7] Apart from being silver-gilt instead of silver and having a more ornate ribbon suspender, it is identical to the Honoris Crux Silver in all respects.^[7]

Reverse

The reverse has the pre-1994 South African Coat of Arms, with the decoration number underneath.^[7]

Bar

The bar is of silver-gilt with a miniature replica of the Maltese cross embossed in the centre. Only one bar was ever made, after the Bar to the HCG was awarded to Captain Arthur Walker HCG. In lieu of the Bar, he was initially presented with a Clasp for 40 years of service to the Permanent Force Good Service Medal, also in silver-gilt, until one was eventually manufactured especially for him in 1991.

Ribbon

The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide and orange, with a single 1 millimetre wide white band in the centre.^[7]

Discontinuation

Recipients

Since inclusion in the table itself is impractical, the actions cited for follow below the table.

Name	Rank	NS no.	Date of action	Unit	Service Arm
De Wet, Christoffel Hendrik ^[a]	2 Lt	001^[8]	26 Dec 1975	2nd Fd Eng Rgt, SAEC	SA Army
Wessels, David Eric ^[b]	2 Lt	002^[8]	28 Dec 1975	2nd Fd Eng Rgt, SAEC	SA Army
Fernando, Gabriel ^[c]	Cpl	003^[8]	1 Aug 1980	5 Recce Rgt, SAIC	SA Army
Walker, Arthur ^[d]	Lt	004^[8]	15 Jan 1981	AFB Ondangwa	SAAF
Walker, Arthur HCG ^[e]	Capt	Bar to HCG^[2]^[8]	29 Dec 1981	AFB Ondangwa	SAAF
Whiley, Paul Burger ^[f]	AB	028^[8]	4 Aug 1991	SAS Scorpion	SAN

Actions cited for

↑ De Wet, Christoffel Hendrik – Second Lieutenant De Wet was the first recipient of the Honoris Crux Gold. He was cited for clearing a road of landmines while under enemy fire in Angola.
↑ Wessels, David Eric. – Second Lieutenant Wessels was cited for actions in Angola during Operation Savannah at Bridge 14. Wessels crossed the bridge under fire to rescue a wounded FNLA soldier whom he brought back to the South African side in a 10t vehicle he had recovered from the enemy side. He returned later the afternoon to recover a fuel tanker left on the enemy occupied side of the bridge. He was wounded during this action and was covered in fuel from the punctured tanker. He crawled back for 170m under enemy fire and was rescued by own forces and brought back to safety.^[9]
↑ Fernando, Gabriel. – Corporal Gabriel was cited for deeds of gallantry on five separate occasions in 1980.
↑ Walker, Arthur – Lieutenant Walker was cited for risking his life during a night operation in Angola, by turning on the lights of his helicopter to draw enemy fire away from another helicopter.^[3]
Official citation: "During January 1981, two Alouettes, with Lieutenant Walker as flight leader, carried out close air support operations resulting in the Alouettes coming under intense enemy artillery and anti-aircraft fire. He only withdrew when ordered to do so. Later Lieutenant Walker returned to the contact area to provide top cover for a Puma assigned to casualty evacuation. Again he was subject to heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire. During the withdrawal the second helicopter developed difficulties and called for assistance. Yet again Lieutenant Walker returned to provide top cover drawing virtually all the anti-aircraft fire to his Alouette. His courageous act prevented the loss of an Alouette and crew. Lieutenant Walker's actions were not only an outstanding display of professionalism, devotion to duty and courage, but also constitutes exceptional deeds of bravery under enemy fire and make him a worthy recipient of the Honoris Crux Gold."^[10]
↑ Walker, Arthur HCG. – Captain Walker HCG was cited for the award of the Honoris Crux Diamond, but was awarded the Bar to the HCG instead for landing in enemy territory to search for on foot and rescue the crew of a helicopter which had been shot down. He is the most highly decorated SADF member of the 1966-1989 Border War.^[3]
Official citation: "During December 1981 Captain Walker was again requested to provide top cover for the evacuation of a seriously wounded soldier. On take-off with the evacuee his number two helicopter was hit and crash-landed. Without hesitation and with total disregard for his personal safety Captain Walker landed near the wrecked helicopter and immediately searched for the crew. Eventually the situation became suicidal compelling Captain Walker and his crew to withdraw. When he was airborne he spotted the missing crew and yet again, without hesitation and despite the fact that virtually all enemy fire was now directed in his direction, he landed and uplifted the crew to safety. Through this courageous deed he prevented the loss of two men. His distinguished actions, devotion to duty and courage make him a credit to the South African Defence Force in general, the South African Air Force in particular and makes him a worthy recipient of the Bar to the Honoris Crux Gold."^[10]
↑ Whiley, Paul Burger – Able Seaman Whiley was awarded the HCG for his action to search for possibly trapped passengers inside the listing and sinking ship MTS Oceanos off the Transkei Wild Coast on 4 August 1991.^[11]^[12]

v t e South African military decorations and medals
Sorted in order of wear per era or 1994 constituent force
Pre-Union until 6 April 1952	Victoria Cross Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Service Cross Military Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Air Force Cross Distinguished Conduct Medal Distinguished Conduct Medal (Natal) Conspicuous Gallantry Medal Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) Distinguished Service Medal Military Medal Distinguished Flying Medal Air Force Medal British Empire Medal (Military) South Africa Medal (1853) South Africa Medal (1880) Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal Queen's South Africa Medal Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog Lint voor Verwonding King's South Africa Medal Natal Native Rebellion Medal 1914–15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal (South Africa) Mercantile Marine War Medal 1939–1945 Star Atlantic Star Arctic Star Air Crew Europe Star Africa Star Pacific Star Burma Star Italy Star France and Germany Star Defence Medal War Medal Africa Service Medal King George V Coronation Medal King George V Silver Jubilee Medal King George VI Coronation Medal Meritorious Service Medal (United Kingdom) Meritorious Service Medal (Cape of Good Hope) Meritorious Service Medal (Natal) Meritorious Service Medal (South Africa) Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Cape of Good Hope) Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Natal) Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (South Africa) Volunteer Officers' Decoration for India and the Colonies Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal Efficiency Decoration (South Africa) Efficiency Medal (South Africa) Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Air Efficiency Award King's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal South African Medal for War Services Sir Harry Smith's Medal for Gallantry (Unofficial) Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps Medal (Unofficial) Kimberley Star (Unofficial) Cape Copper Company Medal for the Defence of O'okiep (Unofficial)
1952–1994	Honoris Crux Gold Star of South Africa, Gold Star of South Africa, Silver Star of South Africa (1952) Louw Wepener Decoration Honoris Crux (1952) Honoris Crux Silver Van Riebeeck Decoration Honoris Crux (1975) Pro Virtute Decoration Southern Cross Decoration Pro Merito Decoration Van Riebeeck Medal Louw Wepener Medal Ad Astra Decoration Army Cross Air Force Cross Navy Cross Medical Service Cross Southern Cross Medal (1952) Pro Merito Medal (1967) Southern Cross Medal (1975) Pro Merito Medal (1975) Danie Theron Medal Jack Hindon Medal Military Merit Medal Korea Medal Pro Patria Medal Southern Africa Medal General Service Medal (South Africa) Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service Good Service Medal, Gold John Chard Decoration De Wet Decoration Cadet Corps Medal Good Service Medal, Silver Union Medal Permanent Force Good Service Medal John Chard Medal Good Service Medal, Bronze De Wet Medal Queen's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces Commandant General's Medal SADF Champion Shot Medal National Cadet Bisley Grand Champion Medal
Transkei	Cross for Bravery Transkei Defence Force Medal Independence Medal (Transkei) Military Rule Medal Faithful Service Medal
Bophuthatswana	Order of the Leopard, Commander Distinguished Gallantry Cross Defence Force Merit Decoration Distinguished Gallantry Medal Defence Force Merit Medal Marumo Medal, Class I Defence Force Commendation Medal Marumo Medal, Class II Nkwe Medal General Service Medal Independence Medal Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Gold Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Silver Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Bronze State President's Medal for Shooting
Venda	Gallantry Cross, Gold Gallantry Cross, Silver Distinguished Service Medal, Gold Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Venda Defence Force Medal General Service Medal (Venda) Independence Medal (Venda) Long Service Medal, Gold Long Service Medal, Silver Long Service Medal, Bronze
Ciskei	Sandile Decoration Sandile Medal Chief C.D.F. Commendation Medal Ciskei Defence Medal Independence Medal (Ciskei) Medal for Long Service, Bronze President's Medal for Shooting
Umkhonto we Sizwe	Star for Bravery in Gold Star for Bravery in Silver Conspicuous Leadership Star Decoration for Merit in Gold Merit Medal in Silver Merit Medal in Bronze Operational Medal for Southern Africa South Africa Service Medal Service Medal in Gold Service Medal in Silver Service Medal in Bronze
Azanian People's Liberation Army	Gold Star for Bravery Bravery Star in Silver Star for Conspicuous Leadership Gold Decoration for Merit Silver Medal for Merit Bronze Medal for Merit Operational Medal for Southern Africa South Africa Service Medal Gold Service Medal Silver Service Medal Bronze Service Medal
From 1994	Nkwe ya Gauta Nkwe ya Selefera iPhrothiya yeGolide Nkwe ya Boronse iPhrothiya yeSiliva iPhrothiya yeBhronzi Tshumelo Ikatelaho Unitas Medal Closure Commemoration Medal Medalje vir Troue Diens