title: Nick Bierman
text: # Nick Bierman
  
  Lieutenant-General Jacobus Nicolas Bierman SSA SM CBE (1910–1977) was a South African military commander. He played one Rugby Test Match for the Springbok team in $1931^{:89}$
  
  ## Military career
  
  He joined the South African Army in $1934.^{:89}$ During World War II he served in North Africa, and commanded the artillery of the South African 6th Armoured Division in Italy.
  
  He served as Army Chief of Staff from 1958 to $1959,^{:89}$ as Inspector-General from 1959 to $1960,^{:89}$ as Director of Planning and Operations from 1960 to $1965,^{:89}$ and as General Officer Commanding Joint Combat Forces (GOCJCF), co-ordinating Army and Air Force operations and training, from 1965 to 1967. As GOCJCF, he was the third-highest-ranking officer in the South African Defence Force's Supreme Command.
  
  ## Awards and decorations
  
  In 1945 then Brigadier Bierman was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The notice in the London Gazette reads as follows:
  
     The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy: To be Additional Commanders of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order: Brigadier (temporary) Jacobus Nicolas Bierman (105970V), South African Forces.
  
  He was also awarded the Bronze Star
  
  * Star of South Africa (1952) (SSA)
  * Southern Cross Medal (1952) (SM)
  * Order of the British Empire (Commander) (CBE)
  * Bronze Star Medal
  * Union Medal
  * 1939–45 Star
  * Africa Star
  * Italy Star
  * Defence Medal (United Kingdom)
  * War Medal 1939–1945
  * Africa Service Medal (WWII)
  