Herois Nacionais/National Heros

Herois Nacionais/National Hero's

“We will never forget”

This Blog is about Born Warriors, men or women from all walks of life who performed extraordinary deeds and on occasion won their countries highest awards. What makes these particular men so remarkable is that they won a countries (South Africa’s) highest award and they were not necessarily citizens, and in some cases had fought for the very terrorist organizations that they won their awards fighting against.So what made them risk their lives and in many cases lose them for a “foreign” country? Well I suppose each of them had a different reason but I am sure that a common bond for them was that having seen their countries of Angola, Guine-Bissau and Mozambique handed over to Communist backed (whether Chinese or Russian) Governments who then proceeded to turn the country into a basket case. 

Cpl G Fernando awarded HC by  Gen Magnus Malan

The Honoris Crux was South Africa’s premier gallantry decoration awarded to members of the Defence Force up to 1991.The first Honoris Crux was instituted in 1952 and as is proper for an award of gallantry, was for all ranks of the UDF (later SADF) who "without thought of own safety and through personal courage and determination performed a gallant act or deed against the enemy in the field". In 1975 the award was upgraded and awarded in 4 classes namely the Honoris Crux Diamond, the Honoris Crux Gold, the Honoris Crux Silver, and the Honoris Crux. Of all these decorations the Honoris Crux Diamond
was never awarded.

Here is a list of  Portuguese speaking soldiers  of the former SADF  who won the Honoris Crux (Cross of Honour) for acts of Valour, hopefully in the future stories about these men from former brothers in arms will be posted on this Blog so that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

·         Rfn Avelino de Nóbrega: SAI BN – HC

·         Rfn Johannes Conga: 31 BN – HC *

·         Rfn David Hashomwenda: 101 BN – HC

·         Rfn Feliciano Costa: 32 BN – HCS

·         S Sgt Francisco Daniel Roxo: Special Forces – HC *

·         Cpl Eduardo João: 32 BN - HC
          

·         Sgt Victor Drácula: 32 BN - HC

·         Rfn Bernardo Domingos: 32 BN – HC

·         Cpl G Fernando: Special Forces - HCG +

·         Sgt João Joaquim Homen de Gouveia: Special Forces – HCS

·         Sgt Américo Sancão Manjate “P Dobe”: Special Forces - HC+

·         Sgt Manuel “Mick” Fonete: Special Forces - HC+

·         Sgt Adriano Nelson Manuel: Special Forces - HC

·         S Sgt Amilcar M R G Queiroz: Special Forces - HCC

·         Sgt Neves Tomás Matias: Special Forces - HC

We believe that this list is as yet not compete so please help to make it a definitive and complete list.

Stephen Dunkley and Manuel Ferreira

 7 April 2013