Jack Dutton

Lieutenant General John Raymond Dutton SSAS SD SM MMM
Nickname(s)	Jack
Born	(1928-08-27)27 August 1928 Tulbagh, Cape Province, Union of South Africa
Died	29 November 2011(2011-11-29) (aged 83)
Allegiance	South Africa  South Africa
Service / branch	South African Army
Years of service	1947–1984
Rank	Lieutenant General
Unit	Special Service Battalion
Commands	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, SSAS SD SM MMM (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, Cape Province, and matriculated from Rondebosch Boys' High School in 1945.

In 1947, he joined the Union Defence Forces.

Military career

In 1953, he was one of 12 officers sent to 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 African ambassador to Chile.

Awards and decorations

• Star of South Africa (Silver) (SSAS)
• Southern Cross Medal (1952) (SM)
• Military Merit Medal (MMM)
• Korea Medal (South Africa)
• Good Service Medal (Gold (30 Years))
• Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
• Union Medal
• United Nations Service Medal (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). Archived from the original on 4 August 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
2. Nöthling, C.J.; Meyers, E.M. (1982). "Leaders through the years (1912-1982)". Scientaria Militaria. 12 (2): 93.

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Norman John Best	Ambassador to Chile 1981–1984	Succeeded by Michal Muller
Military offices
Preceded by	Chief of Staff Operations 1976–1981	Succeeded by Ian Gleeson
Preceded by JJ Wahl	OC 1 SSB 1964–1967	Succeeded by WH 'Bill' Matthews