Fred Ormskerk

Standard-bearer adjutant F.F. Ormskerk on Independence Day, November 25, 1975

Frederik Ferdinand "Fred" Ormskerk (April 26, 1923 – May 1, 1980) was a Surinamese military leader. He was awarded many honors for his military services in Indonesia and Korea. After a KNIL training at Camp Casino, Australia, he arrived in Batavia (now Jakarta). Here he became a soldier in the newly formed Korps Speciale Troepen (KST), led by Captain Westerling. At this moment he is nicknamed Bikkel, which means "stud".^[1]

In February 1980, the coup d'état led by Dési Bouterse took place in Suriname. Ormskerk originally wanted to launch a counter-coup on April 30, but failed and he was put in prison, and then tortured and eventually slain.^[2] Decades after this tragedy occurred, the alleged failed coup is still shrouded in fog.

Awards

• Cross for Law and Liberty with Buckle Korea 1950
• United Nations Service Medal with Clasp Korea
• Award of the Korean War Service Medal
• Korean Presidential Unit Citation
• Certificate of Appreciation 38th Infantry Regiment in Korea
• Medal of honor attached to the Order of Orange-Nassau in gold with Swords
• Gold Medal due Prolonged, Honest and Faithful Service

References