Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Gezagvoerder (Merchant Captain)

Unit:

Kapitein m.s. Ondina

Awarded on:

January 14th, 1943

Recommendation:
For having displayed as captain of M.V. Ondina on November 11th, 1942 in the Indian Ocean and having engaged in battle, together with an escort destroyer of the Royal British Indian Navy, although only equiped with one light cannon, two heavily armed Japanese raiders and having lost his life in the engagement, extraordinary courage, eminent tact and great loyalty in navigation and extermely efficient defence whereby the enemy vessels were hit repeatedly and enabling his own, although severely damaged vessel to be taken safely to an Australian port.

Royal Decree No.7, January 14th, 1943.
Awarded posthumously.
Willem Horsman was in command of ms Ondina when she, together with the minelaying HMS Bengal (J243) engaged the merchantcruisers Hokoku Maru and Aikoku Maru. The Ondina managed to score a direct hit on the torpedotube of the Hokoku Maru.The subsequent explosion caused the Hokoku Maru to sink. Horsman lost his life during thew subsequent engagement with the Aikoku Maru.