PDF

← All awards

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 The whole 1974 Warrant was then repealed and the medal re-instituted afresh by Presidential Warrant, 8 June 1976 (Government Gazette No. 5171, 25 June 1976), for members of the South African Defence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Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)
Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)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
30722 Hitchens First Name Unknown F N U Sapper South African Corps of Engineers 1978-01-01
30730 Hoare Stephen Richard S R Lance Corporal 3 South African Infantry Battalion 1982-08-09
30735 Holder Johannes Reinhard Gerhardus J R G Lance Corporal 8 South African Infantry Battalion 1988-06-27
30738 Hollis Peter Henry P H Lieutenant 8 Squadron 1980-04-25
30740 Holm Johan Wolfgang J W Captain South African Commandos 1975-11-23
30753 Hough Leonard Patrick L P Rifleman 3 South African Infantry Battalion 1982-04-15
30756 Howes John Mark J M Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1987-11-11
30767 Human Andries Petrus A P Rifleman 3 Parachute Battalion 1978-05-04
30771 Human Johan Hugo J H Private 11 Squadron 1974-04-13
30774 Hunter Raymond O'brien R O Rifleman 2 South African Infantry Battalion 1978-02-19
30779 Hutchinson Robert Lewis R L Sergeant 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1981-01-30
30781 Hymutenal Elifas E Rifleman 1980-06-10
30783 Immelman Ferdinand F Captain 19 Squadron 1976-01-04
48590 Innes John Skerten J S Commandant South African Staff Corps (Corps) 1971-06-16
30791 Isaac D Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-09-06
30795 Iyango Freddy K Rifleman 101 Battalion 1985-03-11
30798 Izumbu Nicolaas Christiaan M Sergeant 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1982-02-25
30801 Jacob Petrus P Rifleman 35 Battalion 1980-08-06
38022 Jacob Barend Matthys S Rifleman 101 Battalion 1987-01-08
30811 Jacobsz Anthonie Michael A M Rifleman Regiment De Wet 1977-10-26
30813 Jagga Raymond Victor R V Lance Corporal School of Armour 1988-08-19
30814 Jakob S Rifleman 101 Battalion 1985-01-08
30816 Jamba Jakob Eduardo J E Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1985-02-13
48662 James P Trooper 202 Battalion 1986-12-23
30818 Jans Johannes Wilhelmus Landerd J W L Rifleman Johannesburg Regiment 1979-06-10
30821 Janse Van Rensburg Amos A J Sergeant 1981-12-29
30823 Janse Van Rensburg David Nicolas D N Rifleman 5 South African Infantry Battalion 1981-08-27
30829 Janse Van Rensburg Lourens Johannes L J Rifleman 7 South African Infantry Battalion 1983-12-18
30838 Janse Van Vuuren Stephanus Petrus S P Rifleman South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1979-07-09
30859 Jepau Rinho R Rifleman 201 Battalion 1984-02-21
30862 Jewaskiewitz Avril A Lance Corporal 6 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-08-14
30864 Joao Evaristo E Lance Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-02-01
30865 Joao Joshua J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-06-04
30866 Joao Jose J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1981-01-02
30867 Joao M Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1979-01-01
30868 Joao Jose M C Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1986-08-08
30869 Joao Pedro P Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1977-03-16
30870 Joao Yombi Y Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1982-03-13
30872 Joaquim Joao J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1977-01-01
30875 Joaquim Mateus M Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1985-02-13
30871 Joaquin Adao A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1981-08-24
30876 Job T Rifleman 101 Battalion 1987-02-23
30879 Johannes J Rifleman South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1988-01-01
30886 Jonas E Rifleman 101 Battalion 1985-03-09
30887 Jonas L N D Rifleman 101 Battalion 1986-06-30
30899 Jonkers Karools K Lance Corporal Cape Corps 1983-03-07
30903 Jordaan Andre A Rifleman 3 South African Infantry Battalion 1983-07-29
30908 Jordaan Hendrik Johannes H J Rifleman Regiment Westelike Provinsie 1977-05-05
30909 Jordaan Hendrik Kasper H K Rifleman South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1981-04-03
30910 Jordaan Joseph Benjamin Ruben J B R Rifleman 3 South African Infantry Battalion 1979-08-18