Jack Dutton

John Raymond Dutton SSAS SM MMM
Nickname(s)	Jack
Born	27 August 1928 Tulbagh
Died	29 November 2011
Allegiance	South Africa  South Africa
Service/branch	South African Army
Years of service	1947–1984
Rank	Lieutenant General
Unit	Special Service Battalion
Commands held	Chief of Staff Operations Chief of Army Staff Operations OC Eastern Province Command OC 1 Special Service Battalion
Battles/wars	Korean War, Border War
Awards
Other work	National President of the SA Armour Association

Jack Dutton (27 August 1928 – 29 November 2011^[1]) was a South African Army officer who served in the Korean War.

Early life

He was born in Tulbagh, and matriculated from Rondebosch High in 1945. In 1947 he joined the Union Defence Forces.

Military career

In 1953 he was one of 12 officers sent to the Korea where he was seconded to the Royal Tank Regiment. In 1964 he was appointed as Officer Commanding 1 Special Service Battalion. In 1968 he became Officer Commanding Eastern Province Command at the rank of Brigadier. He was then appointed Director of Armour.^[2] In 1973 he was promoted to major-general as Chief of Army Staff Operations from 1 July 1973.^[2] In 1976 he became Chief of Staff Operations with the rank of Lieutenant-general.^[1]

Diplomatic service

While still in the Army he was appointed South Africa's ambassador to Chile.

Awards and decorations

• Star of South Africa, Silver (SSAS)

• Southern Cross Medal (SM)

• Military Merit Medal (MMM)

• Korea Medal

• Good Service Medal, Gold (30 Years)

• Good Service Medal, Silver (20 Years)

• Union Medal

• United Nations Service Medal for Korea
• Korean War Service Medal
• Order of Bernardo O'Higgins

References

1. Mackenzie, Sandie (December 2011). "OBITUARY: In Memory of Lieutenant-General Jack R Dutton SSAS, SD, SM, MMM". The South African Military History Journal. 15 (4).
2. Nöthling, C.J.; Meyers, E.M. (1982). "Leaders through the years (1912-1982)". Scientaria Militaria. 12 (2): 93.