Job Maseko: The South African WW2 hero who didn't get a Victoria Cross South African World War Two hero Job Maseko was denied the highest military award because he was black, campaigners believe, and his family have backed a push to get him the posthumous honour. War hero Lance Corporal Job Maseko died a poor man in 1952. Job Maseko MM was a South African soldier during World War II, serving in the Native Military Corps[1] as part of the South African 2nd Infantry Division. He was one of many Allied troops captured by the Axis in the surrender of the port of Tobruk in 1942. He gained fame by his actions in sinking a German vessel whilst serving as a POW stevedore in Tobruk harbour, for which he was awarded the Military Medal. Job Maseko - Wikipedia Maseko was nominated for the Victoria Cross for valour, but official war artist Neville Lewis claimed a senior military officer vetoed the recommendation of giving such an honour to a black man.[1] Maseko was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry instead.[11] Military Medal as awarded to Job Maseko. The citation incorrectly referred to him as Job "Masego" An extract from his Military Medal citation reads as follows:[12] CITATION For meritorious and courageous action in that on or about the 21st July, while a Prisoner of War, he, Job Masego, sank a fully laden enemy steamer - probably an "F" boat - while moored in Tobruk Harbour. This he did by placing a small tin filled with gunpowder in among drums of petrol in the hold, leading a fuse therefrom to the hatch and lighting the fuse upon closing the hatch. In carrying out this deliberately planned action, Job Masego displayed ingenuity, determination and complete disregard of personal safety from punishment by the enemy or from the ensuing explosion which set the vessel alight.
Funny thing about medals. Depending on who your commanding officer is and how well he writes and if he lives to write about it, you may get something for your deeds. A lot of deserving guys on all sides never received the recognition they deserved.
