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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 The whole 1974 Warrant was then repealed and the medal re-instituted afresh by Presidential Warrant, 8 June 1976 (Government Gazette No. 5171, 25 June 1976), for members of the South African Defence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Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)
Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)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
31368 Lombard Niel N Trooper 1 Special Service Battalion 1975-11-23
31357 Lombaard Esuas Philluppus E P Corporal 151 South African Infantry Battalion 1982-08-09
31352 Livingue Abel A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-05-21
31345 Linvingue L Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1986-02-24
31343 Linhanga Joao J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1978-02-08
31342 Lingando M K Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1988-03-04
31336 Light David Gordon D G Lieutenant 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1985-02-13
31337 Light Raymond Mark R M Lance Corporal 1 Parachute Battalion 1987-10-31
31332 Liebenberg Pieter Marius P M Second Lieutenant 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1983-12-31
31333 Liebenberg Rian Hendrik R H Captain South African Air Force (Corps) 1983-05-20
31334 Liebenberg Rowland Ridgard R R Corporal 4 Reconnaissance Regiment 1985-05-21
31315 Lesch Laurie Johannes (lollo) L J Trooper South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1978-08-23
31309 Leonard Harold Bruce Michael E Rifleman 101 Battalion 1987-01-08
31305 Lennox George Alexander G A Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1984-01-04
31276 Leach Bernard Jacobus B J Rifleman 1 South African Infantry Battalion 1981-02-05
31255 Le Roux Albertus Marthinus A M Lance Corporal 7 South African Infantry Battalion 1986-11-02
31256 Le Roux Dawid Barend (david) D B Trooper 1 Special Service Battalion 1975-10-12
31259 Le Roux Gabriel Pieter G P Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1983-12-31
31270 Le Roux Martin M Rifleman 31 or 201 Battalion 1982-08-09
31273 Le Roux Phillipus Lodewyk P L Lieutenant South African Commandos 1977-10-14
31274 Le Roux Terrence Rodney T R Rifleman 5 South African Infantry Battalion 1981-05-27
31248 Lawrie Geoffrey Allan G A Lance Corporal 1 Reconnaissance Commando 1977-01-01
31242 Lautenslager Vincent Peter V P Lieutenant 8 Squadron 1980-09-12
31241 Laurindo Lucindo L Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1978-02-08
31236 Langman Daniel D Lance Corporal 41 Battalion 1980-08-24
31227 Lan Dan D Sergeant 16 Squadron 1987-03-30
31226 Lamprecht Daniel Francis D F Sergeant 19 Squadron 1981-09-29
31200 Kuyler Marthinus Johannes M J Trooper 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-09-13
48713 Kupido L A Rifleman 911 Battalion 1981-06-27
48797 Kufuna R R Rifleman 202 Battalion 1983-01-30
41678 Kudumo Jacob Daniel Horak L Rifleman 202 Battalion 1982-05-25
41679 Kudumo Jacob Daniel Horak A H Rifleman 202 Battalion 1982-05-25
31189 Krull Grant William G W Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion 1982-08-09
31164 Kruger Anton A Rifleman South African Infantry Corps (Corps) 1982-08-09
31173 Kruger Johannes Hendrik Petrus J H P Rifleman South African Commandos 1977-12-08
31179 Kruger Michiel Labuschagne (vingers) M L Sergeant 1 Reconnaissance Commando 1977-10-28
31181 Kruger Nicolaas Johannes N J Rifleman South African Engineer Corps (Corps) 1980-06-27
31182 Kruger Ockert Petrus O P Lance Corporal South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1982-01-20
31183 Kruger Paul P Corporal 1 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-06-10
31184 Kruger Petrus P Lance Corporal 6 South African Infantry Battalion 1981-08-28
31185 Kruger Pieter P Lance Corporal South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1982-01-20
31158 Krog Christo Gerhardus C G Rifleman 5 South African Infantry Battalion 1979-01-12
31151 Kouswab Jan J Rifleman South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1982-04-15
31140 Kotze Christiaan Rudolf (dugga) C R Lance Corporal South African Commandos 1977-12-08
31143 Kotze Eugene E Major South African Air Force (Corps) 1982-06-01
31132 Korb Joahim Willem (wimpie) J W Rifleman Regiment Christiaan Beyers 1976-04-22
31131 Koorts Ewert Phillippus E P Corporal 8 South African Infantry Battalion 1988-06-27
31129 Komengo Pedro P Rifleman 37 Battalion 1980-01-09
31119 Kognodi F Rifleman 1988-01-01
31114 Koekemoer Nicolaas Johannes N J Lance Corporal Johannesburg Regiment 1978-03-26