Commandant Jan Fourie

Commandant Jan Fourie was the Commanding Officer of South Africa's 1st Parachute Battalion from 1965 to 1967, succeeding Cmdt Willie Louw.

Inspired by the eagle and American Airborne units, Jan changed the paratrooper uniforms and insignia away from the original British model to include less spartan insignia. (See images of the originals used while Willie Louw was CO).