Arthur W . Walker Major Arthur Walker ( born 10 February 1953 , Johannesburg is a former South African Air Force helicopter pilot who was twice awarded the Honoris Crux Gold decoration during the South African Border War . The Honoris Crux Gold was the highest military award for bravery awarded by the South African Defence Force . He matriculated from King Edward VII School in Johannesburg and went to the Army in 1971 . Family . His grandfather , Arthur Walker I , founded Walkerville , Gauteng and his father , Arthur Walker II , was a Springbok golfer . Military career . He obtained his pilots wings in 1977 and flew for 7 Squadron , Rhodesian Air Force , before re - joining the South African Air Force in 1980 . While flying Alouette III helicopters based at AFB Ondangwa in 1981 he was awarded the Honoris Crux Gold for risking his life during a night operation in Angola , by turning on the lights of his helicopter to draw enemy fire away from another helicopter The citation for the Honoris Crux reads : During January 1981 , two Alouettes , with Captain Walker as flight leader , carried out close air support operations resulting in the Alouettes coming under intense enemy artillery and anti - aircraft fire . He only withdrew when ordered to do so . Later Captain Walker returned to the contact area to provide top cover for a Puma [ a type of helicopter ] assigned to casualty evacuation . Again he was subject to heavy enemy anti - aircraft fire . During the withdrawal the second helicopter developed difficulties and called for assistance . Yet again Captain Walker returned to provide top cover , drawing virtually all the anti - aircraft fire to his Alouette . His courageous act prevented the loss of an Alouette and crew . Captain Walker ' s actions were not only an outstanding display of professionalism , devotion to duty and courage , but also constitutes exceptional deeds of bravery under enemy fire and make him a worthy recipient of the Honoris Crux Gold . In December 1981 he was cited for landing in enemy territory to search for and rescue the crew of a helicopter that had been shot down . The citation for the Bar to his Honoris Crux Gold reads : During December 1981 Captain Walker was again requested to provide top cover for the evacuation of a seriously wounded soldier . On take - off with the evacuee his number two helicopter was hit and crash - landed . Without hesitation and with total disregard for his personal safety , Captain Walker landed near the wrecked helicopter and immediately searched for the crew . Eventually the situation became suicidal , compelling Captain Walker and his crew to withdraw . When he was airborne he spotted the missing crew and yet again , without hesitation and despite the fact that virtually all enemy fire was now [ aimed ] in his direction , he landed and lifted the crew to safety . Through this courageous deed he prevented the loss of two men . His distinguished actions , devotion to duty and courage make him a credit to the South African Defence Force in general , the South African Air Force in particular and makes him a worthy recipient of the Bar to the Honoris Crux Gold Honours and awards . He was later awarded the Southern Cross Medal for his work in developing Koevoet , a paramilitary - trained police counter insurgency unit in South - West Africa .