Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generaal-Majoor (Major-General)

Unit:

Koninklijk Nederlandsch-Indisch Leger

Awarded on:

November 1947

Posthumously awarded

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generaal-Majoor (Major-General)

Unit:

Koninklijk Nederlandsch-Indisch Leger

Awarded on:

July 25th, 1951

Aanbeveling:
He has distinguished himself against the enemy both in combat as well as in captivitiy by performing eminent deeds of courage, tact and loyalty. After the captitulation of the K.N.I.L. (Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger, Royal Dutch Indonesian Army) he decided, despite repeated and express orders by radio to end the struggle, to continue said struggle with the troops at his disposal in central and northern Sumatra and has given up the battle against a better armed and numerically superior enemy only when continuation of the battle with his severely battered and exhausted forces would only have meant useless bloodshed.
Even after the end of hostilities he has maintained a proud and distinguished attitude towards the Japanese as a prisoner-of-war, steadfastedly refusing to order troops still in action to lay down their arms. As soon as possible, he set up an underground resistance movement intended to gather information about enemy movements, to assist and protect women and children and to make preparations for the re-establishment of Dutch Authority in case of an eventual withdrawal of the Japanese and to establish underground combat teams with military personnel of the K.N.I.L. who were in hiding, in order to wage war on the enemy behind his back on his lines of communication in case of an invasion by Allied troops.
General Overakker, who has accepted full responsibility for actions by all his subordinates, was tried for his actions by a Japanese so called court martial and sentenced to death. He was executed at Fort de Kock on January 9, 1945.

Royal decree no.15 posthumously.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)