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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 The whole 1974 Warrant was then repealed and the medal re-instituted afresh by Presidential Warrant, 8 June 1976 (Government Gazette No. 5171, 25 June 1976), for members of the South African Defence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Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)
Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)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
30265 Esals Carvalho C Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1978-04-02
30271 Estima Morris D Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1983-03-03
30278 Everisto Llywelyn Carl C Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1982-06-07
30280 Every Edward Richard E R Major 1 Squadron 1988-02-20
30281 Ewels Wayne Vallentine W V Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion 1987-10-31
30286 Falkus Andrew Jeremy (ande) A J Lance Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-05-21
30292 Feris Niklaas N Sapper 1 SWA Engineer Regiment 1985-02-12
30294 Fernando Antonio A Sergeant 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1978-03-07
30295 Fernando Augusto A Corporal 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1987-05-02
30296 Fernando Augusto D Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1981-03-04
30298 Fernando Joao J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1985-02-13
30299 Fernando M Lance Corporal 101 Battalion 1987-01-08
30305 Ferreira Johannes Casparus Lemmer J C L Rifleman 2 South African Infantry Battalion 1978-02-19
30315 Fidler Bruce Andrew B A Corporal South African Medical Corps (Corps) 1985-09-15
41921 Fillipus Paulus Bushy J H Rifleman 202 Battalion 1985-01-24
30323 Finnies Douglas Raymond W A Corporal 41 Battalion 1980-06-21
48663 Fisch C Rifleman 102 Battalion 1987-11-11
48706 Fisher P Corporal 911 Battalion 1981-01-01
30339 Forbes Alexander A Rifleman 5 South African Infantry Battalion 1982-01-28
30342 Forster Fred Johann F J Candidate Officer 1 Reconnaissance Commando 1978-04-09
30351 Fouche Johannes Reinier J R Rifleman Regiment Christiaan Beyers 1976-04-22
30358 Fourie Herman H Trooper South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1982-01-20
30362 Fourie Johan Carel J C Rifleman Regiment Groot Karoo 1983-12-31
30364 Fourie Jacobus Hendrik J H Rifleman 1 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-06-10
30380 Francesco LEWIS or LOUIS L Rifleman 201 Battalion 1982-03-02
30382 Francisco Anthony John A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1978-03-09
30383 Francisco Jose J Lance Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-09-12
30384 Francisco Jaquin J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-10-20
30387 Frans J Rifleman 35 Battalion 1978-11-07
30432 Fredericks Jacob J Rifleman 41 Battalion 1980-08-28
48694 Fredericks C Rifleman 1979-03-30
30443 Froneman Benjamin Arthur B A Rifleman 2 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-01-18
30451 Gabriel Immanuel I Rifleman 101 Battalion 1985-02-06
30452 Gabriel Rodrigues R Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1984-07-14
30457 Gagiano Kurt K Lieutenant 2 South African Infantry Battalion 1977-12-22
48592 Gaiseb Victor V Rifleman South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1987-04-05
30459 Galonga Kausanga K Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1985-02-13
30460 Galulu Kausanga M Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1982-03-27
30462 Ganhao Manuel Antonio Infante M A I Corporal 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1978-01-28
30469 Geddes Peter William P W Lieutenant South African Medical Corps (Corps) 1980-11-04
30395 Geel Pieter Jakobus P J Rifleman Regiment De la Rey 1980-02-29
30396 Geen Brian B Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1984-01-04
30408 Gericke Barend Zacharias B Z Sergeant 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-03-30
30426 Gingles Alan A Lieutenant 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1981-10-15
30471 Glynn Richard William R W Lieutenant 42 Squadron 1987-09-03
30472 Goagaseb V Rifleman 1987-04-01
30474 Gobe Johannes J Corporal 201 Battalion 1985-06-22
30486 Goliath Dawid D Rifleman 41 Battalion 1980-05-18
30487 Goma Dawid R Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1983-04-10
30490 Goncalves Joao J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-06-18