Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Flying Officer D. L. van Vuuren, South African Air Force, who was awarded the U.S. Air Medal for his courage as a Mustang pilot in No. 2 (Cheetah) Squadron in Korea in the summer of 1952

South African Korea Medal (Lt. D. L. van Vuuren); U.N. Korea 1950-54; United States of America, Air Medal, the reverse inscribed, ‘Lieut. D. L. van Vuuren’; South Korean Government Medal, the first three mounted as worn, occasional edge bruising, very fine and better (4) £600-700

Daniel Lucas van Vuuren was born in October 1926 and enlisted in the South African Air Force straight from school in 1943. Qualifying as a pilot and gaining a commission in July 1945, he was demobilised in the following year, having also won entitlement to the South African Service Medal 1939-45 and War Medal 1939-45.

Accompanying notes state that he next moved to Scotland to pursue a career as a professional footballer, but with the advent of hostilities in Korea, he returned to South Africa, gaining appointment as a pilot in No. 2 (Cheetah) Squadron. And he subsequently went into action in the unit’s Mustangs in the summer of 1952, winning the American Air Medal for the following deeds:

‘Lieutenant Daniel L. van Vuuren distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot, No. 2 Squadron, South African Air Force, from 11 June to 15 July 1952. By successfully completing numerous combat missions in F-51 type aircraft, Lieutenant van Vuuren greatly aided the effort of the United Nations’ forces and seriously damaged the military potential of the enemy. Flying at dangerously low altitudes in adverse weather over enemy held territory, Lieutenant van Vuuren rocketed, strafes, and bombed enemy supplies, troops, equipment and transportation facilities. Through his aggressive leadership, courage and superior flying skill, Lieutenant van Vuuren reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the South African Air Force.’

Van Vuuren transferred to the South African Air Force Reserve as a Flying Officer in November 1954; sold with copied service records.