Denis John Earp | |
---|---|
Born | Bloemfontein, South Africa | 7 June 1930
Died | 19 May 2019 Pretoria | (aged 88)
Allegiance | South Africa |
Service/ | South African Air Force |
Rank | Lieutenant General |
Commands | Chief of the Air Force |
Battles/wars | Korean War |
Awards |
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.
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
Gen Earp received the following Awards and Decorations:[1][8]