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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 The whole 1974 Warrant was then repealed and the medal re-instituted afresh by Presidential Warrant, 8 June 1976 (Government Gazette No. 5171, 25 June 1976), for members of the South African Defence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Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)
Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)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
48711 Claasen G Rifleman 911 Battalion 1981-05-29
29745 Cilliers Jacobus Daniel (koos) J D Sergeant 17 Squadron 1980-06-23
29742 Chuca Makanga M Private South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1977-01-01
29738 Chocoto (chicoto) Jose Manual J M Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1978-04-10
29735 Chipoya Zeferino Z Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1985-02-13
29733 Chipa A F Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-09-04
29728 Chilunku T Rifleman South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1986-01-13
29726 Chihamba Jose J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1985-02-13
29722 Chapman Peter Andrew P A Corporal 8 South African Infantry Battalion 1981-10-20
29721 Chameia Johannes F Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1981-12-14
29718 Chamba MALATO or MELATO M Private South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1981-08-15
29714 Cerement P Rifleman 101 Battalion 1987-01-08
29711 Catumbele Dumba D Rifleman 201 Battalion 1982-09-21
29709 Catamba Antonio A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1981-08-23
29708 Castle Phillip Joseph P J Lieutenant 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1978-02-21
29707 Cassela Domingos D Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-04-02
29706 Cassamano Antonio A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1978-01-18
29700 Carstens Harry H Corporal 1 Reconnaissance Regiment 1989-04-04
29698 Carroll Paul William Ernest P W E Rifleman 7 South African Infantry Battalion 1979-03-11
29697 Carreira Jose Miguel Rodrigues J M R Corporal 1 SWA Engineer Regiment 1987-01-22
29685 Cambinda Antonio Luis A L Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1988-02-27
29686 Cambinda J Lance Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1984-02-18
29682 Calitz Johan J Rifleman 3 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-08-13
29681 Calipe B Sergeant 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1988-11-05
29680 Caliango Antonio A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-05-21
29677 Cachimbita Mario M Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1979-09-11
48707 Cabonga C Rifleman 32 Battalion 1981-01-14
29674 Cabinda F Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1979-01-26
29675 Cabinda Jose J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-08-30
29670 Buys Daniel Louis D L Rifleman South African Commandos 1977-12-11
29672 Buys Paul Stephanus P S Trooper 1 Special Service Battalion 1979-11-09
29631 Bruwer Johannes Adolf J A Corporal 8 South African Infantry Battalion 1983-07-14
29632 Bruwer Johannes Jacobus J J Rifleman 6 South African Infantry Battalion 1976-02-12
29614 Broodryk Anton Leon A L Corporal 1 Parachute Battalion 1976-04-13
29609 Britz Willem Hendrik Christoffel W H C Private South African Medical Corps (Corps) 1978-08-23
29589 Bridgeman Terence Michael T M Corporal South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1978-05-04
29580 Braz Simao Domingos S D Staff Sergeant 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-06-04
29578 Brandon Daryl Quintin D Q Second Lieutenant 5 South African Infantry Battalion 1976-01-03
29538 Botha Johannes Petrus J P Lance Corporal South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1981-05-08
29521 Botes Deon (boats) D Second Lieutenant 101 Battalion 1987-10-31
29520 Bosse Jameson J Gunner 4 Field Regiment 1983-03-06
29519 Bosman Jakobus Andries Petrus J A P Rifleman South African Infantry Corps (Corps) 1980-02-26
29517 Boshoff George Murray G M Rifleman South African Commandos 1983-11-10
29493 Bonthuys Jacobus Hendrik Louw J H L Second Lieutenant 11 Squadron 1974-04-13
29487 Boma Johannes J Private South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1977-01-01
29474 Boas R Rifleman 101 Battalion 1986-02-16
29473 Blom Jacob Jacobus J J Rifleman 6 South African Infantry Battalion 1981-08-12
29468 Bloem Edward Michael E M Flight Sergeant 17 Squadron 1986-07-16
29462 Blignaut Gerhardus Daniel G D Lance Corporal 6 South African Infantry Battalion 1983-05-04
29453 Blaauw Andries Johannes A J Rifleman 116 South African Infantry Battalion 1976-07-17