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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 The whole 1974 Warrant was then repealed and the medal re-instituted afresh by Presidential Warrant, 8 June 1976 (Government Gazette No. 5171, 25 June 1976), for members of the South African Defence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Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)
Extract from GG 4490, p.1 (original institution warrant, 23 Oct 1974, signed by State President J.J. Fouche -- superseded by GG 5171, 8 Jun 1976)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
31658 Mashavave Marsh Lazarus M L Corporal 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1986-11-13
31652 Masate K Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-12-15
31647 Marx Phillipus Rudolph P R Rifleman 8 South African Infantry Battalion 1988-06-27
31650 Marx Wentzel Christoffel W C Sergeant 1 Reconnaissance Commando 1977-10-28
31641 Martins J Lance Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1981-11-27
31638 Martin Herbert J Sergeant 101 Battalion 1987-01-25
31634 Marshall James Thomas J T Rifleman 5 South African Infantry Battalion 1982-08-09
31619 Maritz Gerhardus Martinus G M Sergeant 5 Signal Regiment 1988-02-21
31621 Maritz Jacobus Johannes J J Rifleman 6 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-02-04
31622 Maritz Johannes Petrus J P Corporal 3 South African Infantry Battalion 1979-08-18
31625 Maritz Phillipus Rudolf P R Lance Corporal 2 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-01-18
31616 Mario P S Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1983-06-10
31605 Marcelino Casto C Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-05-21
31604 Marcel Noel Mbumba N M Corporal 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1985-06-02
31591 Marais Dewald D Lieutenant 12 Squadron 1979-03-14
31592 Marais G J Lieutenant 1979-01-01
31587 Maquinda J M Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1977-09-07
31574 Manuel Antonio Pedro A P Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1982-05-25
31575 Manuel Gringo Jose G J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1982-03-24
31569 Manual A Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1981-09-28
31570 Manual D Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1985-06-26
31571 Manual J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1986-12-26
31572 Manual K B A Sergeant 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1988-04-30
31560 Manganhes Teixeira T Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1983-12-27
31558 Mandunga MacAi M Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1978-02-14
31557 Mandume David J Rifleman 101 Battalion 1989-04-04
31555 Mandingi N Rifleman 35 Battalion 1978-11-07
31552 Mande Augusto A Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1983-03-04
31551 Mananza Joao Rodriques J R Lance Corporal 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1987-09-13
31548 Malonga Isaac I Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1984-01-10
31545 Mallon Shane Patrick S P Rifleman South African Infantry Corps (Corps) 1982-08-09
48718 Maletta I Lance Corporal 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1981-08-08
31538 Maleta Ivan I Lance Corporal 5 Reconnaissance Regiment 1981-08-08
31527 Makuwe E Rifleman South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1991-10-26
41562 Makaranga R H Lance Corporal 202 Battalion 1986-07-30
48715 Mabuku T M Rifleman 701 Battalion 1981-07-05
31443 Maass Jacobus Johannes J J Rifleman 912 Battalion 1980-03-05
31615 MARINDA or MIRANDA J Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1980-02-21
31440 Luyt Michael Clarence M C Rifleman 1 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-06-10
31424 Luciano Jose J Private South West African Territory Force (Corps) 1977-01-01
31425 Luciano Sabino S Rifleman 32 (Buffalo) Battalion 1977-01-26
31404 Louw Daniel Abraham D A Rifleman 4 South African Infantry Battalion 1984-01-04
31411 Louw Jacobus Abraham Smuts (kosie) J A S Lance Corporal 1 South African Infantry Battalion 1981-01-26
31414 Louw Thomas Igantius T I Rifleman 2 South African Infantry Battalion 1979-11-25
48720 Louw A Rifleman 911 Battalion 1981-02-15
40847 Lourens James Dennis J D Field Reservist Highveld Air Space Control Sector 1979-03-28
31390 Loubser Francois Johan F J Rifleman 1 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-06-10
31392 Loubser Michael Dereck M D Rifleman 6 South African Infantry Battalion 1980-02-04
31388 Lotze Thom Du Toit T D T Rifleman 2 South African Infantry Battalion 1975-12-10
31385 Lotter Lucas Frederick L F Major 53 Battalion 1988-04-18