In Memory Of

VAN WYK, LEON

Service Details
Age:
 26
Date of Birth:
 1956-04-06
Service No:
 72481708PE
Rank:
 Captain
Regiment:
 1 Parachute Battalion
Date of Death:
 1982-05-02
Cause of Death:
 Killed in action, east of Otavi during a contact with SWAPO/PLAN insurgents. A single SWAPO/PLAN insurgent was holding up in a shack on a farm. The shack was surrounded by a section of Paratroopers in the dark and after a heavy volume of fire had been brought to bear on the shack, Leon tried to enter it. However, the insurgent was still alive and fired at Leon with his AK-47 as he burst open the door. Leon was hit by several shots and severely wounded. He died shortly afterwards from his wounds. The insurgent escaped in the confusion
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 A2
Cemetery:
 BLOEMFONTEIN (HAMILTON) WAR CEMETERY
Localitly:
 Free State
Country:
 South Africa
Additional Information
Next of kin, Mrs. E. van Wyk