The Guyana Defence Force has announced the death of Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Hartley “Black Prince” Liverpool who passed away at a US hospital on Wednesday, August 24, 2022.
The GDF in its statement said; “Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Liverpool began his military career in the British Guiana Volunteer Force (BGVF) in 1955 and served in the Guyana Defence Force for 25 years.
Generally known and respected as one of the most legendary Guyanese to ever put on the uniform, the message noted that “Colonel Liverpool is the only member of the Guyana Defence Force to receive the Cacique Crown of Valour (CCV), which was given for his heroic actions on the early morning of Tuesday, August 19, 1969, in the New River Triangle during “Operation Climax” launched by the GDF to regain territory. During the operation, it was Colonel Liverpool’s feat of firing a machine gun while seated in the nose of a flying aircraft that was credited for the mission’s success.”
“The CCV is the highest award of the Order of Service of Guyana. Lt. Col Liverpool (ret’d) is the first and only military personnel who was bestowed with this medal. The Cacique’s Crown of Valour is awarded for high acts of bravery involving great danger and serious risk to life,” the GDF stated.
Stabroek News in an article headlined, “The defence of the New River, 1967-1969 written by Former President David Granger in February 15, 2009- stated: “The task force was then ready to launch a lightning assault – called Operation Climax because it was the culmination of years of confrontation by Suriname. It was executed in three phases aimed at driving members of Suriname’s Defensie Politie from Guyanese territory – first, the capture of the airstrip; second, the capture of the camp; and, third, the consolidation of the position. The operation began at dawn on Tuesday, August 19 …….Remarkably, the task force took Tigri without bloodshed or casualties. Symbolically, Suriname’s five-star flag was replaced by Guyana’s Golden Arrowhead and the camp was renamed ‘Jaguar,’ the national animal.”
The Chief of Staff, Officers, Warrant Officers, other Ranks of the Guyana Defense Force and the Guyanese people salutes the years of exemplary service that Lt Col (ret’d) Liverpool gave to the Guyana Defence Force and extend sincere sympathy to his bereaved family.
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