Van Heerden , Michael Johan (M J)

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 The whole 1974 Warrant was then repealed and the medal re-instituted afresh by Presidential Warrant, 8 June 1976 (Government Gazette No. 5171, 25 June 1976), for members of the South African Defence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).

Pro Patria Medal warrant, Government Gazette No. 5171 (25 Jun 1976), Rule 5, as amended by GG No. 5575 (3 Jun 1977); discontinued by GG No. 25213 (25 Jul 2003, Schedule corrected by GG No. 26778, 17 Sep 2004) for service on/after 27 Apr 2003. Gazette extracts: https://rohsa.co.za/award.php?id=24

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