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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 The whole 1974 Warrant was then repealed and the medal re-instituted afresh by Presidential Warrant, 8 June 1976 (Government Gazette No. 5171, 25 June 1976), for members of the South African Defence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Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)
Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)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
29945 De Almeida Alberto A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1985-02-13
29942 Dawson William Robert W R Rifleman 5 South African Infantry Battalion 1982-01-28
29929 Daniels Irvine Manuel I M Corporal 54 Battalion 1987-03-08
48621 Daniel Jose J 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1979
29919 Dalgleish Kenneth George K G Flight Sergeant 19 Squadron 1982-01-05
29918 Dale Peter Warren P W Major Royal Corps of Signals (Corps) 1976-05-16
29904 Dala A Private South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1981-04-11
29905 Dala A South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1982-01-01
29906 Dala Carlos Conceicao A Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1985-05-12
29907 Dala A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-12-04
29909 Dala D N Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1988-04-02
29910 Dala Funa F Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1981-12-25
29912 Dala Gabriel G Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-11-11
29913 Dala Joao J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1984-01-10
29914 Dala Joao J Rifleman South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1987-01-01
29915 Dala Kefas Kalenga K K Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1986-04-12
29916 Dala L Corporal South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1984-03-12
29917 Dala L Rifleman South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1984-03-17
29903 Da Trinidade Carlos Conceicao C C Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-03-21
29898 Da Silva Afonso A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1978-02-03
29901 Da Silva Louis Antonio L A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1984-07-14
29895 Da Costa Almerindo Mourao A M Staff Sergeant 1 Reconnaissance Commando 1980-02-25
30182 DALA or DULLA Teofora T Rifleman 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1983-10-21
29894 Cuvemba A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1979-12-22
29885 Crous Jan Adriaan J A Rifleman South African Engineer Corps (Corps) 1981-12-14
29881 Cronje Stephen Maritz S M Rifleman 1 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-06-10
29882 Cronje Willem Johannes W J Trooper Regiment Oranjerivier 1976-02-05
29876 Cromhout James Clark J C Rifleman 2 Parachute Battalion 1981-12-29
29875 Croeser Daryl Peter D P Rifleman 1 South African Infantry Battalion 1982-07-30
29861 Craemer Carel Leopold Albert C L A Lance Corporal 8 South African Infantry Battalion 1983-02-03
29855 Couvelis Frank Paul F P Rifleman 912 Battalion 1983-05-12
29841 Coppard Glen Colin G C Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1979-08-18
29835 Cook Ronald Alan R A Sergeant 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1986-02-12
29834 Conway Timothy Gilmore T G Corporal Regiment Algoa Bay 1976-12-15
29824 Conga Johannes J Rifleman South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1979-09-12
29822 Comoxoxo K Rifleman 201 Battalion 1982-06-10
29819 Colling Helgard Brink H B Rifleman South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1980-08-23
29816 Coleby Donald Norman D N Staff Sergeant Regiment Groot Karoo 1983-06-12
29792 Coetzee Ignatius Philippus I P Rifleman SAMS Training Unit 1976-10-24
29802 Coetzee Michael Christiaan M C Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-08-03
29803 Coetzee Rudolf Marais R M Lance Corporal 3 South African Infantry Battalion 1988-03-14
29804 Coetzee Stephanus Francois Stephan S F S Candidate Officer South African Engineer Corps (Corps) 1981-11-05
29805 Coetzee Samuel Walters S W Second Lieutenant 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1979-06-17
29806 Coetzee Willem Jacobus Marthienus W J M South African Air Force (Corps) 1973-02-26
29778 Cobbold Dylan Chevalier D C Second Lieutenant 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1987-10-31
29771 Cloete Joseph Johannes J J Trooper South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1987-07-03
48702 Cloete A Rifleman 911 Battalion 1980-11-02
29758 Clack Neville Grant N G Sergeant 2 Reconnaissance Commando 1977-10-28
29755 Claassen Keith K Lieutenant Pretoria Regiment 1983-12-18
29750 Claasen Pieter Gerrit P G Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1987-11-09