Identity
Person No.
30025
Old ROH no.
1778
Service No.
76395813BG
Last Name
First Name
Roberto Nicola "danny"
Initials
R N
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
19
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
KIA 14,780
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in action, during Operation Sceptic fighting Swapo and MPLA. Died instantly as he jumped out of the top of the Ratel. The compressed air tanks to open the doors had exploded and the only exit was through the top hatches. As he exposed to the top he was severed in two by anti-aircraft rounds. Andrew and Frank got shrapnel inside and died later. Mike died also as he jumped out the top Robert was not alone here, he was with close friends
Military Service
Branch
Army
Rank
Rifleman
Unit
Unknown
Secondary Unit
Army
Defence Force
SADF 3,823
South African Defence Force
Location
Country
Locality
Cemetery
Grave Reference
Coordinates
Memorial
Memorial
Location
On a koppie at the Voortrekker Monument, overlooking Pretoria
Address
Coordinates
Panel
On the panel
1980 Army. Left column. 31st name from the top (De Vito R.N.)
Operation
Operation
Dates
1980-06-01 to 1980-06-30
About
Large mechanised operation into southern Angola against SWAPO bases around Chifufia and Mongua, notable as an early large-scale combat use of the Ratel infantry fighting vehicle and Olifant tank.
Unit History
Awards
South Africa
Pro Patria Medal warrant, Government Gazette No. 5171 (25 Jun 1976), Rule 5, as amended by GG No. 5575 (3 Jun 1977); discontinued by GG No. 25213 (25 Jul 2003, Schedule corrected by GG No. 26778, 17 Sep 2004) for service on/after 27 Apr 2003. Gazette extracts: https://rohsa.co.za/award.php?id=24
Notes
Son of Mr. E. de Vito, of 13 Heldzingen Street, Parkdene, Boksburg.
Research notes
SADF Wall of Remembrance (Voortrekker Monument): named on photograph "1980 Army (Abel–Ralikwatha). Photograph: South African War Graves Project.". 1980 Army. Left column. 31st name from the top (De Vito R.N.).
Citations
Unknown
External References
- South African War Graves Project open source ↗
-
The War in Angola
open source ↗
War In Angola Roll of Honour (warinangola.com, tabid=1175), pages 36-41 of 143: confirmed, no changes.
Stories 2
This was a really special friend. The coolest dude. He smoked more cigarettes out of my packet than I did. It was a pleasure and he gave me a whole packet the day before his passing. He took all our guard duties the night before that fateful day. It was as if he knew. We had suffered together for many gruelling months during our training and became very good friends. We had a lot of fun in De Brug, Lohatla, Messina and Border camps. Operation Sceptic, Smokeshell was where we encountered an unfortunate sequence of events leading up to this disaster. Robert died instantly as he jumped out of the top of the ratel. The compressed air tanks to open the doors had exploded and the only exit was through the top hatches. As he exposed to the top he was severed in two by anti-aircraft rounds where I was first to find him. Andrew and Frank got shrapnel inside and died later. Mike died also as he jumped out the top. Robert was not alone here, he was with close friends. He was a comrade I was proud to be alongside in such an intense battle. My brave friend and a gallant soldier, Robert de Vito, died june 10th 1980 50km into Angola fighting SWAPO and MPLA. Miss you Rob. Unknown Unknown
Rob, You and I got on like a house on fire. We shared not only special moments in our army career but in our home lives as well. I just wanted you to know that I have kept my promise to you and still continue to talk to your Mom. You will always be in my heart and in my mind. And there will always be stories to tell about the mischief you got up to (not forgetting the trains you missed). Take care my dear friend Marco Caforio
Dedications 3
Danny, you were one of the greatest and most sincere people I ever knew - What a waste - to give your life for a country like that... You were not suppoed to be there bro...
Danny was a hero - but unfortunately this country does not realise that. He died for nothing We will always remember you Dan.
Danny was a great nickname and very fitting. I only called him Rob. He was a fantastic soldier and a great friend. God took the best this day 10th June 1980 in Angola. Rest in peace, dear friend.