Identity
Person No.
30117
Service No.
Unknown
Last Name
First Name
David Michael
Initials
D M
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
42
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
DOAS 7,467
Died on active service
Military Service
Branch
Army
Rank
Commandant
Regiment
5 Reconnaissance Regiment 72
Later renamed
5 Special Forces Regiment
(1995)
Unit
Unknown
Secondary Unit
"B" Coy.
Defence Force
SADF 3,821
South African Defence Force
Location
Country
Locality
Grave Reference
Coordinates
Unit History
Role at time of death
Special Forces (reconnaissance)
Status
Regular Force
Each numbered Reconnaissance unit was renamed over time: "X Reconnaissance Commando" -> "X Reconnaissance Regiment" (1981) -> briefly a Parachute Battalion designation (1992/93, under "45 Parachute Brigade", a Special-Forces-only designation distinct from the real 44 Parachute Brigade) -> "X Special Forces Regiment" (1995). The parent formation itself changed name several times before 1995 (Special Forces Headquarters, then Directorate Reconnaissance(Forces)) with disputed exact dates between sources -- 1995 is the one date sources agree on. Corps classified as SAIC (South African Infantry Corps) per this site's own records; no independent source found confirms that for Special Forces units specifically -- treat as owner-asserted pending a better citation.
Notes
No additional information known at this time
Research notes
SN CORRECTION 25 Aug 2026: ServiceNo 76301407BG cleared -- the pantser.cmvo.org.za SADF deaths PDF lists that number under "DRAKE, JONATHAN RAYMOND" (RFN, Sterf 15 01 82), matching PersonNumber 30116 (Drake, DateDeath 1982-01-15) by surname and exact date, not this record. Original value: "76301407BG". Left as an unresolved collision otherwise -- this correction is specific to this one PDF-confirmed case, not a general claim this record's other data is wrong. 26 Aug 2026: Unit was leftover "8 South African Infantry Battalion". SAWGP Regiment 5 Reconnaissance Regiment with no separate unit.
Citations
Unknown
External References
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