Jacob Staal

Jacob "Jaap" Staal (8 July 1913, Assen - 1981?) was a Dutch commando during World War II. He fought in Operation Market Garden in 1944. In recognition of his services, Staal was decorated with the Dutch Bronze Lion and the American Medal of Freedom with bronze palm.

Following the German occupation of the Netherlands in 1940, Staal left for England, where he joined the British regiment Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry, seconded to the Special Operations Executive (SOE). In 1944 Staal, now a lieutenant, trained for Operation Jedburgh with fellow Dutch officers Arie Bestebreurtje, Henk Brinkgreve and Jacobus Groenewoud. Operation Jedburgh involved allied agents being parachuted behind enemy lines to conduct sabotage and guerrilla actions and organize local resistance groups.

During Operation Market Garden, Staal commanded a five-men Jedburgh team codenamed "Edward". Staal, now a captain, was the only Dutch member of his team, the others were British and American. The team landed by glider near corps headquarters outside Groesbeek on 17 September 1944. The team returned to London from Brussels on 28 September.

After the end of the war, Staal was promoted to reserve lieutenant colonel of the artillery. In 1947 he emigrated to South Africa.