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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 The whole 1974 Warrant was then repealed and the medal re-instituted afresh by Presidential Warrant, 8 June 1976 (Government Gazette No. 5171, 25 June 1976), for members of the South African Defence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Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)
Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)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 966

# Last Name First Name Initials Rank Regiment Bar Date of Death
33631 Van Wyk Leon L Captain 8 South African Infantry Battalion 1982-05-02
33632 Van Wyk Leon Francois L F Lance Corporal Regiment Molopo 1988-02-25
33633 Van Wyk Mario M Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-06-04
33638 Van Wyk Wynand Albert W A Lance Corporal South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1988-06-27
40794 Van Wyk John D A Sapper 1 SWA Engineer Regiment 1984-12-11
33643 Van Zyl Albertus Petrus A P Corporal South African Commandos 1977-09-11
33644 Van Zyl Christo C Rifleman 3 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-12-03
33645 Van Zyl Daniel Willem Hendrik D W H Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1987-11-11
33647 Van Zyl Francois Charel F C Warrant Officer Class II 1 Reconnaissance Commando 1977-10-28
33651 Van Zyl Gerrit G Lieutenant Sector 2 1981-11-04
33654 Van Zyl James J Candidate Officer 201 Battalion 1981-09-29
33663 Van Zyl Renier Stefanus R S Corporal Regiment 1980-03-23
49368 Van der Westhuizen T J Lieutenant 1976-02-29
33666 Vasco Noe N Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1982-04-23
33671 Velleman Paul Denzil P D Captain 19 Squadron 1979-09-06
33674 Venter Abraham Izak Emmanuel A I E Corporal 1 South African Infantry Battalion 1977-12-09
33675 Venter Bartholomeus B Rifleman South African Commandos 1975-11-12
33679 Venter Daniel Stephanus D S Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion 1984-04-07
33681 Venter Gert Johannes G J Rifleman 1 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-06-10
33683 Venter Hendrik Jacobus H J Lance Corporal 7 South African Infantry Battalion 1988-05-04
33684 Venter Henry Walter H W Commandant 4 Vehicle Reserve Park 1990-03-23
33688 Venter Johannes Mattheus Strauss J M S Rifleman 8 South African Infantry Battalion 1988-06-27
33700 Venter Van Zyl V Z Corporal South African Infantry Corps (Corps) 1988-02-21
33703 Verckys Loa L Lance Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1983-03-03
33716 Vermeulen Nicolaas Jacobus N J Rifleman 54 Battalion 1988-03-25
33723 Verwey Llewellyn L Rifleman 201 Battalion 1982-03-04
33725 Victor Clement Roy D J Rifleman 5 South African Infantry Battalion 1979-12-14
33726 Victor Clement Roy J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1977-10-27
33729 Vilho Hirite H Rifleman 101 Battalion 1982-02-06
33743 Viljoen Petrus Jacobus P J Corporal South African Commandos 1981-03-17
33750 Visagie Pieter Andreas P A Rifleman 61 Mechanised Battalion Group 1987-09-16
33759 Visser Nicholas Jacobus N J Major 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1975-10-29
33764 Vocolo Joao J Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-06-18
33766 Volkersz Steven S 1st Lieutenant 2 Squadron 1980-10-10
33771 Von Schmettau Udo Knud U K Sapper 2 Field Engineer Regiment 1975-12-10
33786 Walker Gary William John (jinx) G W J Lance Corporal 1 Reconnaissance Commando 1977-10-28
33794 Wamanda Stefanus Sebastian G Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1982-08-09
33795 Wannenburg Frederick Gerhardus F G Sergeant 1 Reconnaissance Commando 1975-12-07
33796 Ward David John D J Staff Sergeant 101 Battalion 1984-03-11
33798 Warma Petrus P Rifleman South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1988-04-18
33801 Warrener Peter William P W Rifleman 1 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-06-10
48726 Wateka Mufitu Rifleman 101 Battalion 1987-10-31
43373 Watts Sidney Edward S E Lieutenant South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1979-08-01
33837 Wessels John Andrew J A Sergeant 44 Parachute Regiment 1982-08-18
33838 Wessels John Andrew J A Rifleman Regiment Christiaan Beyers 1983-07-01
33840 Wessels Louis Theodorus Hermanus L T H Sergeant 1 Parachute Battalion 1981-01-15
33843 Wetton Craig Douglas C D Rifleman 7 South African Infantry Battalion 1987-03-17
33846 Weyers Jacobus J Private South African Infantry Corps (Corps) 1977-04-08
48671 Weyers J Rifleman Cape Corps 1988-04-08
33850 White Bruce Allen B A Rifleman 8 South African Infantry Battalion 1982-01-15