Gone but not forgotten.

S SGT ALMERINDO MOURÃO DA COSTA PMM

Almerindo Mourão da Costa, was born on the 19th August 1944, in a small village in the north of Portugal. After finishing school he joined the  Portuguese Secret Police PIDE/DGS and was posted to Angola where he  served with the FLECHAS until the Portuguese Left Wing coup of 25 April 1974 inspired by the MFA. Almerindo in February of 1975 like many other ex-military or DGS men joined the SADF. But unlike many of those men he, successfully completed the exhausting Special Forces selection course and became an Operator with 1 Reconnaissance Commando.

From August 1975, Mourão da Costa was deployed into Angola on deep special operations as part of Operation Savannah and as an instructor of Battle Group Bravo, later to become 32 Battalion. Mourão da Costa  who was an explosives expert became an instructor with the South African Special Forces.

In January 1980, S Sgt Mourão da Costa was awarded the PRO MERITO MEDAL for assuming control after the assault Commander was wounded during an operation against a enemy base. Through good leadership and determined action he pressed the attack through successfully. He played a leading role in re-organising the force and arranging for the evacuation of casualties. His performance was an exceptional example of meritorious service and devotion to duty.

Mourão da Costa was KIA on the 24th February of 1980 and Unlike the official SADF version, Almerindo Mourão da Costa was not killed 30kms inside Angola as a result of a land mine explosion. He  was killed in an African capital while on a mission to destroy an enemy target. His body was never recovered.

on 30 August 2006 a number of people gathered at Voortrekkerhoogte to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of  S Sgt Daniel Roxo (HC), S Sgt Ponciano Soeiro and Sgt Jose Ribeiro. General Swart paid a moving tribute to our fallen comrades including S Sgt Almerindo Mourão da Costa, who’s operators badge and certificate was handed over to Mrs. Erna da Costa who made mention to me that Almerindo had been very fond of Daniel and had mourned him deeply after his death, he said “The South African Defence Force had lost its best soldier ever”

Someday the true story regards Almerindo’s his contribution to the defence of South Africa and the circumstances of his death will be told, its men and women like Almerindo that this Blog was set up in the first place, they must never be forgotten.

Information sent by Mr Manuel Ferriera

22/3/2013