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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 The whole 1974 Warrant was then repealed and the medal re-instituted afresh by Presidential Warrant, 8 June 1976 (Government Gazette No. 5171, 25 June 1976), for members of the South African Defence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Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)
Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)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
33700 Venter Van Zyl V Z Corporal South African Infantry Corps (Corps) 1988-02-21
33671 Velleman Paul Denzil P D Captain 19 Squadron 1979-09-06
33666 Vasco Noe N Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1982-04-23
49368 Van der Westhuizen T J Lieutenant 1976-02-29
33643 Van Zyl Albertus Petrus A P Corporal South African Commandos 1977-09-11
33644 Van Zyl Christo C Rifleman 3 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-12-03
33645 Van Zyl Daniel Willem Hendrik D W H Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1987-11-11
33647 Van Zyl Francois Charel F C Warrant Officer Class II 1 Reconnaissance Commando 1977-10-28
33651 Van Zyl Gerrit G Lieutenant Sector 20 1981-11-04
33654 Van Zyl James J Candidate Officer 201 Battalion 1981-09-29
33663 Van Zyl Renier Stefanus R S Corporal Regiment 1980-03-23
33624 Van Wyk Gerhard G Sapper 1 SWA Engineer Regiment 1985-02-12
33629 Van Wyk Jacobus Cornelius J C Lieutenant 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1979-05-23
33631 Van Wyk Leon L Captain 8 South African Infantry Battalion 1982-05-02
33632 Van Wyk Leon Francois L F Lance Corporal Regiment Molopo 1988-02-25
33633 Van Wyk Mario M Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-06-04
33638 Van Wyk Wynand Albert W A Lance Corporal South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1988-06-27
40794 Van Wyk John D A Sapper 1 SWA Engineer Regiment 1984-12-11
33601 Van Staden Marthinus Johannes M J Corporal 6 South African Infantry Battalion 1981-08-12
33579 Van Rooyen Dirk Willem D W Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion 1987-10-31
33568 Van Rensburg Joseph J Rifleman 911 Battalion 1980-08-28
33539 Van Niekerk Abraham Christoffel A C Rifleman Regiment De la Rey 1980-02-29
33540 Van Niekerk Andries Hermias A H Rifleman Regiment De la Rey 1982-08-09
33558 Van Niekerk Theo Bence T B Corporal 1 Reconnaissance Regiment 1980-06-30
41524 Van Neel Peter A Cavalier 202 Battalion 1984-06-17
33520 Van Heerden Jacob Carel (jaco) J C Corporal 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1987-11-16
33528 Van Heerden Michael Johan M J Rifleman 8 South African Infantry Battalion 1988-06-27
33530 Van Heerden Rudolf Franchois R F Sapper 52 Battalion 1979-02-19
33531 Van Heerden William Edwin W E Rifleman 201 Battalion 1982-08-16
33484 Van Der Westhuizen Daniel Rudolf D R Second Lieutenant South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1982-04-15
33496 Van Der Westhuizen Theunis Johannes (keppie) T J Lieutenant 4 Field Regiment 1976-02-29
33436 Van Der Walt Petrus (pierre) P Second Lieutenant 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-06-04
33439 Van Der Walt Thomas James T J 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1976-09-29
33420 Van Der Vyver Deon D Sergeant 2 Field Engineer Regiment 1980-03-07
33418 Van Der Star Jacobus Johannes J J Rifleman 6 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-02-04
33476 Van Der Nest Cornelis Frederik C F Rifleman 1 Parachute Battalion 1978-08-12
33443 Van Der Merwe Abraham Daniel A D Trooper South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1978-08-23
33455 Van Der Merwe Hendrik Gerhardus H G Sergeant 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1978-09-21
33459 Van Der Merwe Johannes Erasmus J E Rifleman 3 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-12-03
33461 Van Der Merwe Johannes Lodewikus J L Rifleman Group 34 1983-01-06
33465 Van Der Merwe Nicolaas Jacobus N J Lance Corporal South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1980-07-18
33441 Van Der Linde Michael Johannes M J Staff Sergeant 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1980-02-17
33403 Van Den Bergh Derek D Rifleman 8 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-05-05
33404 Van Den Bergh Jacobus Frederick J F Rifleman 53 Battalion 1980-06-19
33400 Van Den Berg Frederick Christoffel F C Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1979-11-09
33396 Van Coppenhagen Jan Willem (willie) J W Major 1 Squadron 1988-03-19
33394 Van Breda Louis Pieter L P Corporal 4 Reconnaissance Regiment 1985-05-21
33387 Van Aswegen Samuel Deon S D Gunner 14 Field Regiment 1980-02-18
33380 Vallien Willem W Sapper 1 SWA Engineer Regiment 1985-02-12
33664 VANALA or VAVALA Keelifa K Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-09-15