Beschreibung:

A rare and outstanding 1946 A.F.C., Korean War U.S. D.F.C. and Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters group of ten awarded to Captain W. J. J. “Badie” Badenhorst, South African Air Force. A Spitfire Pilot during the Second War, he served as a Flight Commander with 2 (Cheetah) Squadron during the Korean War, 1950-53. He led his Mustang flight on at least 53 operational sorties, personally accounting for a number of enemy vehicles and troops, before he was killed in action leading a raid, 2 March 1951 Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1946’; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal 1939-45, last four officially impressed ‘103216 W. J. J. Badenhorst’; Korea 1950-53, South African issue (Kapt. W. J. J. Badenhorst.); U.N. Korea 1950-54 (Kapt. W. J. J. Badenhorst.); U.S.A., Distinguished Flying Cross, unnamed; U.S.A., Air Medal, with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, unnamed; South Korea War Service Medal, bronze, unnamed, generally good very fine (10) £6000-8000 Footnote A.F.C. London Gazette 4 June 1946, the Recommendation states: ‘This Officer has completed an Operational Tour and has, in addition, carried out 1470 hours as a Flying Instructor, 110 of which have been done during the last six months. He has completed over 2,200 hours Service Flying. He is a most efficient and conscientious Flight Commander. His flying and instruction is of a high order and his assessment of pupils ability very sound.’ U.S.A. Distinguished Flying Cross, citation states: ‘Captain Wessel J. J. Badenhorst distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 17 December 1950. Leading a flight of two (2) F-51 type aircraft on a Combat Area Patrol mission in the Sinanju area, Captain Badenhorst located by protracted and extremely diligent study of features a concentration of cunningly concealed enemy vehicles camouflaged in a deep and narrow valley. The position of the target reduced manoeuvrability to a minimum, but Captain Badenhorst without hesitation made successive hazardous attacks through a screen of enemy machine gun fire. The violence of the explosion of one of the enemy vehicles attacked by him caused severe damage to his aircraft. He, however, oblivious to personal safety continued the attack to such effect that he was credited with eight (8) enemy vehicles destroyed. By his high personal courage and devotion to duty Captain Badenhorst has brought great credit upon himself, his Unit and the South African Air Force.’ U.S.A., Air Medal, citation states: ‘Captain Wessel Jacobus Johannes Badenhorst did distinguish himself by meritorious achievement while participating in serial flights against North Korean invaders. By successfully completing numerous combat missions in F-51 type fighter aircraft from 19 November 1950 to 30 November 1950 he greatly enhanced the efforts of the United Nations Forces. Captain Badenhorst, flying at extremely low altitudes, did strafe, rocket, and bomb enemy troops, artillery, armament, and other war material. During these flights he was in constant danger from enemy aircraft, ground fire, and artillery. By his display of aeronautical skill and intrepid aggressiveness, Captain Badenhorst proved to be a credit to himself and the United States Air Force. His actions are in keeping with the high tradition of the South African Air Force.’ The citations for the First, Second and Third Oak Leaf Clusters are worded exactly the same, with the exception of the dates of the combat missions which are listed as follows: 30 November 1950 - 12 December 1950; 12 December 1950 - 26 December 1950 and 4 January 1951 - 21 January 1951. Wessel Jacobus Johannes Badenhorst was born in August 1919, and joined the South African Air Force in January 1941. He was posted as a Second Lieutenant to 62 Air School, Bloemfontein, 25 January 1941. He undertook various postings in South Africa, including as a Flying Instructor, before being posted as a Pilot for operational flying with 3 S