Rudolph Hiemstra

General Rudolph Christiaan Hiemstra (10 March 1912 26 July 2007) was a South African Air Force commander who served as Commandant General of the South African Defence Force.

Military career Hiemstra joined the South African Air Force in 1931. He did not serve in the Second World War because of his political opposition to South Africa's involvement in the war and sympathy for Nazi Germany, and was transferred to the civil service, from which he returned to the defence force when the National Party government came to power in 1948.

Hiemstra was Military Attaché in Sweden, France and the United Kingdom. Among other appointments, he was officer commanding 2 Squadron SAAF, The Flying Cheetahs.

Awards and decorations In 1960, Hiemstra was awarded the Star of South Africa for exceptional services. He was also awarded the Southern Cross Medal and appointed a Knight of the Order of Prince Henry from Portugal.

Death Hiemstra died on 26 July 2007, aged 95, in 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria. He was survived by six children, sixteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Among his influential brothers were Dr Louis W. Hiemstra, who made his in mark in the field of journalism, and Judge Victor Hiemstra of Pretoria.