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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 The whole 1974 Warrant was then repealed and the medal re-instituted afresh by Presidential Warrant, 8 June 1976 (Government Gazette No. 5171, 25 June 1976), for members of the South African Defence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Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)
Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)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
30490 Goncalves Joao J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-06-18
49366 Gore J Corporal 1985-06-22
48692 Goseb S Rifleman 1978-11-05
48631 Gouws P S Commandant 1 SWA Commando Squadron 1981-02-21
30513 Graca Willem Johan J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1985-01-12
30514 Gracia Willem Johan J A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1977-01-10
30528 Greyling Arie Zagarias A Z Rifleman 5 South African Infantry Battalion 1979-12-16
30529 Greyling Carel Petrus C P Sergeant 1 Reconnaissance Commando 1980-04-17
30533 Greyling Leslie Charles L C Lieutenant 2 Reconnaissance Commando 1977-11-04
30543 Grobler Coert Nicolaas C N Flight Sergeant 31 Squadron 1982-08-09
30544 Grobler Daniel Heinrich D H Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-08-03
30546 Grobler Hendrik Abraham Johannes H A J Lance Bombardier 4 Field Regiment 1981-08-25
30555 Grobler Waldemar Heinrich W H Lance Corporal 5 South African Infantry Battalion 1978-11-28
30556 Groenewald Andre Schalk A S Rifleman 1 South African Infantry Battalion 1988-02-14
30560 Groenewald Johannes Petrus Wessels J P W Rifleman 8 South African Infantry Battalion 1987-07-30
30561 Groenewald Pietir Henrich P H Rifleman 1 South African Infantry Battalion 1988-02-14
30575 Gunza Henry S J Lance Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-03-23
30586 Hadlow Michael Stephen M S Lance Corporal 44 Parachute Regiment 1981-07-26
48669 Haidula S Rifleman 101 Battalion 1988-03-25
30590 Haifiku L Rifleman 101 Battalion 1988-05-04
48805 Haikera I Rifleman 202 Battalion 1983-11-08
30591 Haimbodi H Rifleman 101 Battalion 1988-05-04
30592 Haindula S Rifleman 101 Battalion 1988-03-25
30593 Haipengi Tobia T Rifleman 35 Battalion 1980-06-10
48698 Haipinge T Rifleman 1980-06-10
30610 Hamterija Albert John S Rifleman 101 Battalion 1983-02-22
40843 Hamutenya Hamat H Rifleman 202 Battalion 1983-12-18
48697 Hamutenya E Rifleman 1980-06-10
48799 Hamutenya S Rifleman 101 Battalion 1983-02-23
41520 Handura Petrus Jacobus I Lance Corporal 102 Battalion 1988-04-23
30617 Hanekom Johannes Willem J W Trooper South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1981-05-08
30618 Hanekom Pierre P Rifleman 8 South African Infantry Battalion 1983-12-11
30622 Hansen Stephen Soloman S S Second Lieutenant 6 South African Infantry Battalion 1981-05-20
48661 Hapera A Rifleman 911 Battalion 1986-12-18
30628 Harker Joseph Brian J B Rifleman 54 Battalion 1988-01-23
30631 Harmse Louis L Captain 1 South African Infantry Battalion 1981-08-25
30634 Harris-Dewey Marcus Antony M A Corporal 701 Battalion 1982-04-28
30640 Harvey Gavin John G J Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion 1981-06-02
41719 Haupindi Robert De Burg Riordan P Rifleman 202 Battalion 1984-03-16
41718 Hausiku Robert De Burg Riordan K Rifleman 202 Battalion 1983-10-08
48653 Hausiku P Rifleman 202 Battalion 1984-06-18
30652 Havenga Johannes J Corporal 5 South African Infantry Battalion 1978-12-02
48645 Havenga M Sergeant 201 Battalion 1981-07-08
30665 Heathcote Conrad C Gunner 10 Anti Aircraft Regiment 1985-05-07
30679 Henderson Charles Henry C H Lance Corporal South African Commandos 1976-08-07
30684 Hendricks Clinton C Bombardier 10 Anti Aircraft Regiment 1988-02-25
30693 Henrique Simon S Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1977-04-06
30702 Herbst Richard Anthony R A Rifleman 3 South African Infantry Battalion 1981-09-29
30709 Heyns Hendrik Andre (alie) H A Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1984-01-04
30718 Hind Adriaan Hodgson A H Second Lieutenant 61 Mechanised Battalion Group 1987-10-03