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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 The whole 1974 Warrant was then repealed and the medal re-instituted afresh by Presidential Warrant, 8 June 1976 (Government Gazette No. 5171, 25 June 1976), for members of the South African Defence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Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)
Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)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
32922 Shilemba Arau A Rifleman 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1978-09-02
48639 Shikusho F Rifleman 202 Battalion 1983-04-15
32919 Shikandano Manuel M Rifleman 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1983-07-06
32910 Sheepo T Rifleman 101 Battalion 1987-10-31
32890 Serrote M Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1979-02-16
32880 Senekal Gert Antonie G A Rifleman 2 South African Infantry Battalion 1975-08-27
32874 Semba Johannes G K Rifleman 101 Battalion 1988-06-01
32865 Sekopomashe Vincent V Rifleman 41 Battalion 1980-05-18
38365 Seibib Arnold T Sapper 1 SWA Engineer Regiment 1987-01-22
32854 Sebata Obadiah Malose O M Corporal 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1987-05-02
32849 Scott Gregory G Trooper South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1988-06-27
32845 Schuurman Jean Marc J M Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1987-11-01
32843 Schutte Jan Jurgens Roets J J R Trooper South African Armoured Corps (Corps) 1978-08-23
32844 Schutte Pieter Marthinus P M Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1987-11-11
32839 Schultz Bruce Edward B E Rifleman 6 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-02-05
32838 Schronen Derick John D J Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1983-12-31
32836 Schonfeldt Adam Johannes Hendrikus A J H Rifleman South African Infantry Corps (Corps) 1975-11-14
32837 Schonfeldt Rinty R Dog South African Infantry Corps (Corps) 1975-11-14
32829 Scholtz Anthony Michael A M Rifleman 41 Battalion 1980-02-04
32827 Schoeman Louis Brian L B Private South African Infantry Corps (Corps) 1981-11-01
32802 Savinga J Rifleman 101 Battalion 1988-06-01
32793 Samson John Kerneels J K Rifleman Cape Corps 1983-04-10
32787 Samba Alfredo A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1981-10-16
32788 Samba M Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1976-12-15
32789 Samba R Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-07-06
32785 Salvador Adao A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1983-02-10
32779 Sachse Carl C Sapper 2 Field Engineer Regiment 1988-04-23
32778 Sachilombo Frederick Evert J A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1985-02-13
39013 Ruhuzo Lazarus G Rifleman 102 Battalion 1981-07-16
43380 Ruhl Vingentius Mariu V M Lance Corporal 101 Battalion 1987-08-05
32764 Rudman Thomas Benjamin T B Rifleman 8 South African Infantry Battalion 1988-06-27
32759 Ruaro Johnny J Private South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1977-01-01
32757 Roxo (paulo) Francisco Daniel F D Staff Sergeant 1 Reconnaissance Commando 1976-08-23
32752 Roux Barend Cornelius B C Sergeant 53 Battalion 1979-08-15
32733 Ross Brian Alan B A Rifleman Rand Light Infantry 1977-10-05
32727 Roos Johannes Gysbertus (Bertus/Brut) J G Lieutenant 17 Squadron 1981-08-25
48700 Rooi P Rifleman 911 Battalion 1980-09-30
32722 Roman Abraham A Rifleman 41 Battalion 1978-11-07
32721 Roets Johannes Hendrik J H Corporal 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1984-01-23
43370 Roets Wilhelmus Cornelius W C Rifleman South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1978-07-29
32716 Rodriques Mahorison M Rifleman 201 Battalion 1982-03-04
32714 Rodel Robert Raymond R R Captain 4 Squadron 1985-02-12
32708 Robinson John Allen J A Captain 19 Squadron 1982-01-05
32700 Robert Uutafehe W Rifleman 101 Battalion 1988-05-04
32697 Rix Rian R Corporal South African Commandos 1979-04-13
32691 Riem N Rifleman 31 Battalion 1983-10-27
32675 Ribeiro Carlos Alberto Correia Pinto C A C P Lance Corporal 1 Reconnaissance Regiment 1976-08-19
32677 Ribeiro Jose Correia Pinto "carnaval" "robbie" J C P Sergeant 1 Reconnaissance Regiment 1976-08-25
32671 Reynolds Neels Jacobus N J Rifleman 41 Battalion 1980-08-06
32670 Reyneke Johannes Gerhardus J G Lance Corporal 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1982-01-19