Berry Gazi (original) (raw)

Sergeant Berry Gazi MM was a black South African soldier who served in the Native Military Corps (NMC) during World War II. Although the racially segregated nature of the South African military notionally prevented black soldiers from serving in combat roles, Gazi participated in the Western Desert campaign as part of the 2nd Infantry Division and was awarded the Military Medal for rescuing wounded under enemy fire at Bardia, Libya on 16 December 1941. He was the first black South African to be awarded this medal.