Koos Louw

Rear Admiral Koos Louw PG PS SM MMM SAN (Rtd) (born 17 July 1952)^[1] is a retired South African Navy officer.

Rear Admiral (JG) Jacobus Everhardus Louw PG SM PS MMM SAN (Rtd)
Nickname(s)	Koos
Born	(1952-07-17) 17 July 1952 (age 73)
Allegiance	South Africa
Branch	South African Navy
Years of service	c. 1971–2012
Rank	Rear Admiral (JG)
Commands	Twice OC Naval Base Simon's Town Chief of Fleet Staff
Battles / wars	Border War
Awards

He served as Flag Officer Commanding Naval Base Simon's Town twice, first from 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2005 and again from November 2006 to July 2012.^[2]

He also served as Chief of Fleet Staff at Fleet Command (2005) and Director Fleet Logistics and retired in 2012.^[2]

An investigative report published in 1994 by The Mail & Guardian exposes Louw as a former member of an apartheid-era covert intelligence and assassination unit, the Directorate of Covert Collections (DCC).^[3]

Honours and awards

• iPhrothiya yeGolide (Golden Protea) (PG)
• iPhrothiya yeSiliva (Silver Protea) (PS)
• Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM)
• Military Merit Medal (MMM)
• Pro Patria Medal
• General Service Medal (South Africa)
• Unitas (Unity) Medal
• Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service) (40 Year Clasp)
• Good Service Medal (Gold (30 Years))
• Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
• Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years))
• Order of Naval Merit (Grand Officer) ^[a] (Brazil)
• Medal of Merit Santos Dumont (Brazil)
• Tamandaré Medal of Merit ^[b] (Brazil)
• Legion of Honour (Officer) ^[c] (France)
• Order of Prince Henry (Officer - Oficial) (OIH) (Portugal)

In 2010 Louw was awarded the Order of Prince Henry by Portugal's ambassador to South Africa.^[4]

Notes

1. Portuguese: Ordem do Mérito Naval - Grande-Oficial
2. Portuguese: Medalha do Mérito Tamandaré
3. French: Légion d'honneur - Officier