Lieutenant General Reginald Otto SD & Bar SM MMM (9 July 1943[1] – 5 July 2022[2]) was a South African military commander, who held the post of Chief of the South African Army.[3]


Reginald Otto

Nickname(s)Reg
Born(1943-07-09)9 July 1943
Krugersdorp, Transvaal Province, Union of South Africa
DiedJuly 5, 2022(2022-07-05) (aged 78)
Allegiance South Africa
Service/branch South African Army
Years of service1964–1998
RankLieutenant General
Commands held
AwardsSouthern Cross Decoration SD & Bar Southern Cross Medal SM Military Merit Medal MMM Pro Patria Medal (South Africa) ' Southern Africa Medal ' General Service Medal (South Africa) ' Unitas (Unity) Medal ' Good Service Medal ' Good Service Medal ' Good Service Medal ' Legion of Merit LOM Order of the Cloud and Banner ORB
Relations'Kowie' Jacoba Otto (nee Kleynhans)

Military career edit

He joined the South African Army in 1964 after completing his schooling at Trumpsburg High School.[2] After Officer training at the Army Gymnasium he was appointed a 2nd lieutenant in 1 Special Service Battalion. He became Officer Commanding of 1 Special Service Battalion in January 1976. He also commanded the School of Armour from 11 January 1981 to 18 December 1983.[4]

He was promoted to Brigadier and OC Orange Free State Command.[5] He was later promoted to Major general and GOC Eastern Transvaal Command.[6]

Awards and decorations edit

General Otto was awarded the following:

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Only the Cunene clasp was awarded, to members who served in Angola during Operation Savannah in 1975 and 1976. Recipients of the clasp wear a button, with the letter C encircled by a wreath, on the ribbon bar.

References edit

  1. ^ http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1994/12/20/2/6.html [dead link]
  2. ^ a b Lategan, Herman (9 July 2022). "'n Lewe - Reginald Otto: 'n Militaris se groot hart het ophou klop". Rapport. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  3. ^ Engelbrecht, Leon (10 November 2008). "Fact file: Chiefs of the SA Army | defenceWeb". www.defenceweb.co.za. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  4. ^ Gericke, Marietjie (30 March 2006). "Pantserskool vier 40 jaar van opleiding / School of Armour celebrates 40yrs of training". Volksblad. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  5. ^ "Chronological Report" (PDF). Historical Papers. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  6. ^ http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1992/12/4/9/19.html [bare URL]
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of the South African Army
1995–1998
Succeeded by
Preceded by GOC Eastern Transvaal Command
1992–1994
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Willie Meyer
OC Orange Free State Command
1987–1992
Succeeded by
Preceded by
AJ Snyman
OC School of Armour
1980–1983
Succeeded by
Alwyn van Niekerk
Preceded by
APR Carstens
OC 1SSB
1976–1979
Succeeded by