Servaas Theron

Servaas Theron

SD, SM, DSO and Bar, DFC, AFC
Servaas Theron; SD, SM, DSO and Bar, DFC, AFC
	Theron (right)
Born	9 May 1918; Tulbagh, Western Cape
Died	14 March 1986 (aged 67); Pretoria, Gauteng
Allegiance	South Africa
Service/branch	South African Air Force
Years of service	1938–1970
Rank	Brigadier
Service number	P102649
Commands held	2 Squadron SAAF; 250 Squadron;
Battles/wars	World War II; Korean War;
Awards	Distinguished Service Order; Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Force Cross;

Servaas van Breda Theron (9 May 1918 – 14 March 1986) was a South African World War II fighter ace, credited with 10 'kills'.^[1]

World War II

He joined the

Fiat CR.42.^[2]

He returned to South Africa, becoming Chief Flying Instructor at the Central Flying School in 1943. He then went to the Mediterranean, joining No. 450 Squadron RAAF for a short period. In August 1943 he took command of 250 Squadron until April 1944. He was awarded the DSO in June 1944.^[1]

Later career

After the war he returned to South Africa and stayed in the South African Air Force. In 1946 he was awarded the Air Force Cross.^[3] He went on to command 2 Squadron SAAF and served in the Korean War from September 1950 to March 1951, flying Mustangs. He received a Bar to his DSO for his service in Korea.^[1]

He was then posted as an instructor at

AFB Langebaanweg. He served as Director of Operations for the SAAF before his retirement in 1970.^[1]

After retiring from the Air Force he became Chairman of Hawker Siddeley International.[4]