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Pro Patria Medal Pro Patria Medal ribbon

Pro Patria Medal

South Africa · instituted 1974 · discontinued 2003

A South African campaign medal originally instituted by Presidential Warrant, 23 October 1974 (Government Gazette No. 4490, 8 November 1974) -- the sole criterion then was 6 months' cumulative anti-terrorism service plus "exemplary manner", with no combat exception. GG No. 4932 (19 December 1975) added a combat/skirmish-with-terrorists exception. The whole 1974 Warrant was then repealed and the medal re-instituted afresh by Presidential Warrant, 8 June 1976 (Government Gazette No. 5171, 25 June 1976), for members of the South African Defence Force (or other armed forces attached to/serving with it) who, in defence of the Republic or in the prevention/suppression of terrorism: (a) were involved in combat or a skirmish or a combat situation or an incident caused by enemy activities; or (b) participated in a specific operation acknowledged by Ministerial order (medal and clasp naming the operation) -- in practice this was only ever done once, the Cunene clasp for Operation Savannah, 1975-76; or (c) rendered at least 60 continuous days' service in a designated operational area. Rule 5(c) was amended by GG No. 5575 (3 June 1977) to 55 continuous days OR 90 non-continuous days. The medal may be awarded posthumously (Rule 7) if already earned under (a), (b), or (c) -- dying before completing the qualifying period does not by itself satisfy it. Conferment discontinued for service on or after 27 April 2003 (GG No. 25213, 25 July 2003, a general warrant covering many SANDF honours; its Schedule was corrected by GG No. 26778, 17 September 2004).

Clasps issued with this medal:
Cunene

Wikipedia

Period Rule 5 (qualifying criteria)
23 Oct 1974 – 18 Dec 1975 6 months cumulative service + exemplary manner only
19 Dec 1975 – 7 Jun 1976 combat/skirmish with terrorists (new), or 6 months cumulative + exemplary manner
8 Jun 1976 – 2 Jun 1977 combat/enemy activity, or named operation, or 60 continuous days
3 Jun 1977 – 26 Apr 2003 combat/enemy activity, or named operation, or 55 continuous/90 non-continuous days
Supporting documents
Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)
Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)
Extract from GG 4490, p.2 (original Rule 5, 23 Oct 1974: 6 months' cumulative anti-terrorism service + exemplary manner -- the ONLY criterion; no combat exception existed until the Dec 1975 amendment)
Extract from GG 4490, p.2 (original Rule 5, 23 Oct 1974: 6 months' cumulative anti-terrorism service + exemplary manner -- the ONLY criterion; no combat exception existed until the Dec 1975 amendment)
Extract from GG 5171, p.30 (institution warrant, 25 Jun 1976)
Extract from GG 5171, p.30 (institution warrant, 25 Jun 1976)
Extract from GG 4932, p.1 (19 Dec 1975 amendment to the ORIGINAL 1974 Pro Patria Medal warrant, dated 23 Oct 1974 -- superseded when GG 5171 repealed and re-instituted the medal, 8 Jun 1976; this amendment added a combat-with-terrorists exception alongside the existing 6-month cumulative service + exemplary manner rule)
Extract from GG 4932, p.1 (19 Dec 1975 amendment to the ORIGINAL 1974 Pro Patria Medal warrant, dated 23 Oct 1974 -- superseded when GG 5171 repealed and re-instituted the medal, 8 Jun 1976; this amendment added a combat-with-terrorists exception alongside the existing 6-month cumulative service + exemplary manner rule)
Extract from GG 5171, p.31 (Rules for the award, Rule 5: 60 continuous days)
Extract from GG 5171, p.31 (Rules for the award, Rule 5: 60 continuous days)
Extract from GG 5171, p.32 (Regulations: grant, annulment, restoration)
Extract from GG 5171, p.32 (Regulations: grant, annulment, restoration)
Extract from GG 5171, p.33 (Regulations continued; definitions)
Extract from GG 5171, p.33 (Regulations continued; definitions)
Extract from GG 5575, p.1 (1977 amendment: Rule 5 changed to 55 continuous / 90 non-continuous days)
Extract from GG 5575, p.1 (1977 amendment: Rule 5 changed to 55 continuous / 90 non-continuous days)
Extract from GG 25213, p.2 (2003 discontinuation warrant -- applies to many SANDF honours, not only this one)
Extract from GG 25213, p.2 (2003 discontinuation warrant -- applies to many SANDF honours, not only this one)
Extract from GG 25213, p.3 (signed 16 Apr 2003, published 25 Jul 2003; discontinues conferment for service on/after 27 Apr 2003)
Extract from GG 25213, p.3 (signed 16 Apr 2003, published 25 Jul 2003; discontinues conferment for service on/after 27 Apr 2003)
Extract from GG 26778, p.6 (17 Sep 2004 correction notice to GG 25213 -- re-lists the Schedule of medals covered, confirming Pro Patria Medal is included)
Extract from GG 26778, p.6 (17 Sep 2004 correction notice to GG 25213 -- re-lists the Schedule of medals covered, confirming Pro Patria Medal is included)
P.F. Roos, "Pro Patria Medal: Types, Variants, Ribbon Accoutrements and Selected Recipients of Interest" -- book cover
P.F. Roos, "Pro Patria Medal: Types, Variants, Ribbon Accoutrements and Selected Recipients of Interest" -- book cover
Roos, Section II Part One: the first 48 posthumous Pro Patria recipients, Roll of Honour (deaths 23 Jun 1974 - 7 Aug 1976)
Roos, Section II Part One: the first 48 posthumous Pro Patria recipients, Roll of Honour (deaths 23 Jun 1974 - 7 Aug 1976)
Roos: Pro Patria Medal PPM #58737 awarded to Pte Robert Wilson, SADF POW held in Angola during Operation Savannah (Oct 1975 - Jan 1976)
Roos: Pro Patria Medal PPM #58737 awarded to Pte Robert Wilson, SADF POW held in Angola during Operation Savannah (Oct 1975 - Jan 1976)

Recipients 965

# Last Name First Name Initials Rank Regiment Bar Date of Death
32839 Schultz Bruce Edward B E Rifleman 6 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-02-05
32843 Schutte Jan Jurgens Roets J J R Trooper South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1978-08-23
32844 Schutte Pieter Marthinus P M Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1987-11-11
32845 Schuurman Jean Marc J M Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1987-11-01
32849 Scott Gregory G Trooper South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1988-06-27
32854 Sebata Obadiah Malose O M Corporal 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1987-05-02
38365 Seibib Arnold T Sapper 1 SWA Engineer Regiment 1987-01-22
32865 Sekopomashe Vincent V Rifleman 41 Battalion 1980-05-18
32874 Semba Johannes G K Rifleman 101 Battalion 1988-06-01
32880 Senekal Gert Antonie G A Rifleman 2 South African Infantry Battalion 1975-08-27
32890 Serrote William M M Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1979-02-16
32910 Sheepo Henry Joseph T Rifleman 101 Battalion 1987-10-31
32919 Shikandano Manuel M Rifleman 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1983-07-06
48639 Shikusho F Rifleman 202 Battalion 1983-04-15
32922 Shilemba Arau A Rifleman 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1978-09-02
32923 Shilenge Arau S F Rifleman 1992-01-01
32925 Shilulu Oiva G Rifleman 101 Battalion 1987-01-25
32927 Shiningivali Simeon D Corporal 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1984-06-08
32928 Shipago Simeon I Rifleman 101 Battalion 1980-12-23
32932 Shitongeni First Name Unknown W Rifleman 101 Battalion 1987-01-25
32937 Shorty Timothy David T Private South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1977-01-01
32952 Sikerete Valentinus V Rifleman 201 Battalion 1985-01-06
32954 Sikote Faustino F Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-03-12
48632 Sikwaya T Rifleman 202 Battalion 1983-04-15
32958 Silverton Schaullum Lennox S L Rifleman Regiment Christiaan Beyers 1983-08-02
48716 Simasiku B K Rifleman 701 Battalion 1981-07-05
32962 Simon Lucas Guluva E Rifleman 101 Battalion 1987-02-23
41454 Simon Michael M Rifleman 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1983-10-21
48717 Simwanza B Rifleman 701 Battalion 1981-07-05
48638 Sindere L Rifleman 202 Battalion 1983-04-15
32968 Sindimba Joseph J Rifleman 202 Battalion 1984-04-05
39136 Sipipa Trakisoni M Rifleman 202 Battalion 1984-06-05
48650 Sitarara J Rifleman 202 Battalion 1984-02-02
48660 Sivanda L Rifleman 202 Battalion 1986-07-11
32985 Smit Andrew Matthews A M Rifleman 5 South African Infantry Battalion 1983-03-13
32989 Smit Florence Cornelius F C Rifleman 1 South African Infantry Battalion 1981-08-24
32992 Smit Gideon Johannes G J Trooper South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1978-08-23
32997 Smit Mathys Cornelius M C Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1983-12-31
33002 Smit Willem Hendrik W H Lance Corporal 2 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-08-30
33019 Smith Jan Hendrik J H Sapper South African Engineer Corps (Corps) 1981-05-20
33029 Smuts Nicolaas Willem N W Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion 1985-11-05
33030 Smuts Willem Stephanus W S Trooper South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1978-08-23
39499 Snyders Alfred A Rifleman 54 Battalion 1988-01-23
33036 Snyman Ettienne Marius E M Rifleman 5 South African Infantry Battalion 1981-08-27
33037 Snyman Francis William John F W J Rifleman 7 South African Infantry Battalion 1979-02-21
33040 Snyman Pieter Willem Marais P W M Rifleman 5 South African Infantry Battalion 1976-01-04
33041 Soanga Pieter Willem Marais P Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1979-05-05
33044 Soeiro Ponciano Gomes Silva P G S Sergeant 1 Reconnaissance Commando 1976-08-23
33045 Sokola Bernard B Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-06-18
33052 Sophia Ernesto E Lance Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-09-05