José Correia Pinto Ribeiro was a Portuguese soldier, born in Guinea-Bissau, who became a decorated sergeant in the special forces of both Portugal and South Africa, known by his operational name “Carnaval” (Carnival). He served as a paratrooper (parabiathlete) in the Portuguese Army in Guinea-Bissau, reaching the rank of sergeant. Later, he joined the GEPs (Special Paratrooper Groups) in Mozambique at the request of his former Commander, Colonel Costa Campos.

After the Carnation Revolution in Portugal, he and many other former Portuguese soldiers joined the South African Defence Forces (SADF). He became a specialist in the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment (“Recces”

josé Correia Pinto Ribeiro lost his life on August 25, 1976, at the age of 27, in a military vehicle accident while evacuating combat casualties during an operation in Angolan territory. He and other Portuguese soldiers, such as Francisco Daniel Roxo and Ponciano Soeiro, who died in the same operation, were honored years later.