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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 The whole 1974 Warrant was then repealed and the medal re-instituted afresh by Presidential Warrant, 8 June 1976 (Government Gazette No. 5171, 25 June 1976), for members of the South African Defence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Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)
Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)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
32087 Muhenje H Rifleman 37 Battalion 1980-07-09
32089 Muhenje Karetu K Rifleman 102 Battalion 1982-07-13
32085 Muema Musose M Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1985-02-13
32083 Muconda Fusi Jonas E Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1977-08-02
32067 Msomi Sipho Brian S B Rifleman 121 South African Infantry Battalion 1988-07-28
40844 Moyo Edward E Rifleman 202 Battalion 1983-12-18
32022 Mostert Johannes Gabriel Albertus J G A Rifleman South African Commandos 1979-12-07
32017 Moss Hermanus Stephanus Lombard H S L Rifleman South African Infantry Corps (Corps) 1976-03-26
32011 Moses M M Rifleman 101 Battalion 1987-03-17
31985 Moody Craig Andrew C A Rifleman South African Infantry Corps (Corps) 1982-08-09
31797 Mokoena Mahlomola Samuel M S Rifleman 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1981-08-08
31924 Mkhosi F Rifleman 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1983-07-06
31904 Mindo Alfred Jose A J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-10-20
31898 Milinga Richard R Corporal 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1983-10-21
31896 Mijburgh Christoffel Jacobus C J Rifleman 6 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-08-14
31895 Miguel Jose J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-06-10
31894 Michael B Rifleman 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1981-10-15
31893 Mica J M Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1986-08-28
31874 Meyer Eugen Albert E A Sapper South African Engineer Corps (Corps) 1987-01-08
31877 Meyer Johann Raubenheimer J R Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-11-25
31869 Metcalfe Henry Johannes H J Rifleman 54 Battalion 1987-03-08
31859 Mennigke Cecil Ian C I Lance Corporal 1 Reconnaissance Regiment 1978-01-04
31852 Meiring Muller M Second Lieutenant 61 Mechanised Battalion Group 1988-06-27
31843 Medhurst Eugene E Rifleman 5 South African Infantry Battalion 1976-04-13
31814 McGregor Matthew William Wallace M W W Corporal 2 Field Engineer Regiment 1987-03-09
31763 McCann Michael Sean M S Second Lieutenant 101 Battalion 1988-02-04
31761 McAlister Cecil Charles C C Corporal Regiment Schoonspruit 1981-08-14
41519 Mbinge Petrus Jacobus U Rifleman 102 Battalion 1988-04-23
31749 Mbele Lloyd Mziwandile L M Sergeant 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1982-06-07
31748 Mbangu J Rifleman 101 Battalion 1988-01-01
31747 Mbango Kleopas K Rifleman 101 Battalion 1985-03-28
31743 Mbambo Augistinus A Rifleman 201 Battalion 1984-07-02
40845 Mbambo Edward K E Rifleman 202 Battalion 1985-01-31
31617 Mauriocu Domingos D Corporal 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1986-05-21
31721 Mauricio Fernando F Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-11-11
48659 Mauricio D Corporal 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1986-05-21
41514 Maundu Manuel M Rifleman 102 Battalion 1987-03-27
31707 Matsetse Daniel D Corporal 201 Battalion 1984-03-30
31705 Matroos Phillip Dawid P D Rifleman 54 Battalion 1988-01-23
31704 Matoko Prato P Private South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1976-07-14
48722 Matiti K Rifleman 701 Battalion 1981-08-24
31688 Mathias Joao J Rifleman 35 Battalion 1977-01-01
31676 Matendi Alberto A Private South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1976-07-14
39852 Matende Robert W K Rifleman 202 Battalion 1984-03-09
31674 Matchai Joaquim A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-11-03
48636 Matamu M Rifleman 202 Battalion 1983-04-15
31673 Matamba Joaquim J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-05-21
31669 Massaki Pedro Gomes P G Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1977-05-02
31668 Masonga J Rifleman 201 Battalion 1982-07-08
31661 Mashika Esau E Rifleman 202 Battalion 1983-12-18