Members of 8 South African Army Infantry Battalion Honoured with the Canadian Forces Chief of Defence Staff Commendation, 27 March 2009

Article by Major Merlé Meyer, South African Army Infantry Formation Communication Officer

From Left to Right: High Commissioner Ruth Archibald and Mayor Upington, Mister G. van Staden

The Canadian High Commissioner, Her Excellency Ruth Archibald, awarded the Canadian Forces Chief of Defence Staff Commendation at 8 South African Army Infantry Battalion on Friday 27 March 2009. This commendation was awarded to two members of 8 South African Army Infantry Battalion in Upington, namely Sergeant Ivan Horn and Sergeant J. Jordaan who were deployed in Sudan with 8 South African Army Infantry Battalion in 2006.

On 5 and 6 October 2006, while serving with the United Nations Mission in Sudan these two members recovered a Canadian armoured vehicle that had been badly damaged in combat. Under extreme weather conditions and the constant threat of attack, the recovery extended through 60 miles (144 kilometers) of desert to the nearest African Union Forces camp. Their technical expertise and unwavering dedication allowed the Canadian detachment in Darfur to carry out appropriate demilitarisation of the equipment.

The Canadian Chief of Defence Staff Commendation is a gold plated, satin finished insignia, consisting of a bar with three maple leaves, measuring 2 cm long by 5 cm wide.

Unfortunately, both Sergeant Jordaan and Sergeant Horn have resigned from the South African National Defence Force and Sergeant Jordaan could not attend the event, but the commendation was awarded to Sergeant Ivan Horn.

Her Excellency, the Canadian High Commissioner, Ruth Archibald said that these members showed judgment and courage. Even though they understood the risks, they did what was right.

This is an excellent example of Infanteers who showed courage under fire and lived up to the motto of 8 South African Army Infantry Battalion Perseverance Et Superate meaning (“Oorwinning deur volharding”) or Victory through Perseverance.

Congratulations, you have made us proud to be associated with soldiers of such high calibre.

Remarks by Her Excellency Ruth Archibald, High Commissioner of Canada at the Ceremony Marking the Presentation of the Canadian Forces Chief of Defence Staff Commendation to Sergeant I. Horn, 8 South African Army Infantry Battalion at Upington, South African 27 March 2009

Her Excellency, the Canadian High Commissioner, Ruth Archibald Inspect the Guard of Honour

• Your Worship Mister van Staden, Mayor of Upington, South Africa.

• Colonel Sereko of the South African Army Infantry Formation, representing the South African Army.

• Lieutenant Colonel Dyakopu, Officer Commanding 8 South African Army Infantry Battalion.

• Lieutenant Colonel Riddin, South African Army Foreign Relations

• Most importantly on this day, Sergeant Horn and family.

• Members of the South African National Defence Force

• Ladies and Gentlemen

It is indeed a real privilege for me to be here today representing the Government of Canada, together with the Canadian Defence Advisor Colonel Rick Hatton, who is here on behalf of the Canadian Forces, to recognise a particularly significant action of Sergeant Horn.

In a few minutes I will asking Colonel Hatton to read a special Commendation Certificate from the Canadian Forces Chief of Defence Staff and I will be asking Sergeant Horn to come forward and receive the commendation scroll and pin.

But before I do, I would like to express the appreciation of the Government of Canada for Sergeant Horn's actions, in the presence of senior representatives of the South African Army, the Commanding Officer and members of his former unit, 8 South African Army Infantry Battalion, and before his family and members of his civilian community. I thank the members of the local media and welcome their presence here today. I hop you will help us to make known our appreciation amongst the broader South African public.

In October of 2006, in the Sudan, a place that is both far away and very foreign for both South Africans and Canadians, Sergeant Horn made some decisions and took some actions in a difficult situation that showed a real determination to do the right thing. In extremely challenging conditions and at some personal risk, together with one of his military colleagues whom we would also like to recognise if we can locate him, Sergeant Horn undertook to recover an important but damaged piece of operational equipment that belonged to the Government of Canada but was employed with the United Nations Mission in Sudan. In this action over a difficult two-day period, Sergeant Horn showed the kind of character, judgement and courage that probably all of us would hope to show, if we were to be challenged in the same way. We recognise that this is the kind of person whom of us would hope to have in our military units, in our business enterprises and in our communities - someone who knows in his heart what is the right thing to do, understands and considers the risk, but still does the right thing.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the South African Army, who facilitated this ceremony and made it possible and to the Commanding Officer and members of 8 South African Army Infantry Battalion who have provided the venue and also provide an important unit military presence.
I would now like to call upon Sergeant Horn to come forward ......................... Colonel Hatton, please read the Commendation Certificate.
.................. (Colonel Hatton reads the Certificate)

From Left to Right: Sergeant Ivan Horn, Colonel Rick Hatton, Canadian Defence Advisor and Her Excellency Ruth Archibald, High Commissioner of Canada

The Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces commends Sergeant I. Horn, Task Force Sudan.

On 5 and 6 October 2006, while serving with the United Nations Mission in the Sudan, Sergeant Horn of the South African Army recovered a Canadian loaned armoured vehicle that had been badly damaged in combat. Under extreme weather conditions and the constant threat of attack, the recovery extended through 60 miles of desert to the nearest African Union Forces Camp. His technical expertise and unwavering dedication allowed the Canadian Detachment in Darfur to carry out appropriate demilitarization of the equipment.

Signed R.J. Hillier, General, Chief of the Defence Staff

(High Commissioner presents certificate and pin).

From Left to Right: Sergeant Ivan Horn, Her Excellency Ruth Archibald, High Commissioner of Canada and Colonel Rick Hatton, Canadian Defence Advisor

From Left to Right: Sergeant Ivan Horn, Colonel Rick Hatton, Canadian Defence Advisor