Pro Merito Decoration

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Pro Merito Decoration
Pro Merito Decoration.jpg
Awarded by the State President and, from 1994, the President
Country Flag of South Africa (1928-1994).svg Flag of South Africa (Pantone).svg  South Africa
Type Military decoration for merit
Eligibility Other ranks
Awarded for Outstanding service of the highest order and utmost devotion to duty
Status Discontinued in 2003
Post-nominals PMD
Statistics
Established 1975
First awarded 1976
SADF pre-1994 & SANDF post-2002 orders of wear
Next (higher)
SADF precedence:
SANDF precedence:
Next (lower)
SADF succession:
SANDF succession:
PMDlint.gif
Ribbon bar

The Pro Merito Decoration, post-nominal letters PMD, is a military decoration for merit which was instituted by the Republic of South Africa on 1 July 1975. It was awarded to other ranks of the South African Defence Force for outstanding service of the highest order and utmost devotion to duty. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

An overview of South African military decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.

South African Defence Force comprised the South African armed forces from 1957 until 1994

The South African Defence Force (SADF) comprised the South African armed forces from 1957 until 1994. Shortly before the state reconstituted itself as a republic in 1961, the former Union Defence Force was officially succeeded by the SADF, which was established by the Defence Act of 1957. The SADF, in turn, was superseded by the South African National Defence Force in 1994.

Contents

The South African military

The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994, it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). [3] [6] [7]

Institution

The Pro Merito Decoration, post-nominal letters PMD, was instituted by the State President on 1 July 1975. [6] [8]

Award criteria

The decoration could be awarded to other ranks of the South African Defence Force for outstanding service of the highest order and utmost devotion to duty. A Bar was instituted in 1993, to be awarded in recognition of further similar displays of outstanding service of the highest order and utmost devotion to duty. The equivalent award for officers was the Southern Cross Decoration (SD). [3] [4] [5]

Southern Cross Decoration

The Southern Cross Decoration, post-nominal letters SD, is a South African military decoration for merit which was instituted by the Republic on 1 July 1975. It was awarded to officers of the South African Defence Force for outstanding service of the highest order and utmost devotion to duty.

Although not prescribed, the practice was generally that the recipient must already have received the Pro Merito Medal (PMM). [3]

Pro Merito Medal (1975)

The Pro Merito Medal of 1975, post-nominal letters PMM, is a military decoration which was instituted by the Republic of South Africa on 1 July 1975. It was awarded to other ranks of the South African Defence Force for exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty, and was the non-commissioned officers' version of the Southern Cross Medal of 1975 (SM).

Order of wear

The position of the Pro Merito Decoration in the official order of precedence was revised three times after 1975 to accommodate the inclusion or institution of new decorations and medals, first upon the integration into the South African National Defence Force on 27 April 1994, again in April 1996, when decorations and medals were belatedly instituted for the two former non-statutory forces, the Azanian People's Liberation Army and Umkhonto we Sizwe, and finally upon the institution of a new set of awards on 27 April 2003. [9] [10]

The Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA), formerly known as Poqo, was the military wing of the Pan Africanist Congress, an African nationalist movement in South Africa.

Umkhonto we Sizwe military organization

Umkhonto we Sizwe was the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), co-founded by Nelson Mandela in the wake of the Sharpeville massacre. Its mission was to fight against the South African government.

South African Defence Force until 26 April 1994

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South African National Defence Force from 27 April 1994

SDlint.gif PMDlint.gif Ribbon Defence Force Merit Decoration.png

South African National Defence Force from April 1996

SDlint.gif PMDlint.gif Ribbon Conspicuous Leadership Star.png

The position of the Pro Merito Decoration in the order of precedence remained unchanged, as it was in April 1996, when a new series of military orders, decorations and medals was instituted on 27 April 2003. [10]

Description

Obverse

The Pro Merito Decoration is a silver-gilt Maltese cross, which fits in a circle 45 millimetres in diameter. The arms of the cross are in white enamel, with a disa uniflora, in red enamel, on a framed roundel in dark blue enamel in the centre. A protea attaches the decoration to the ribbon suspender. [3]

Reverse

The reverse has the pre-1994 South African Coat of Arms in the centre, with the silver hallmark below it and the decoration number impressed on the bottom arm of the cross.

Pro Merito Decoration and Bar Ribbon - Pro Merito Decoration & Bar.png
Pro Merito Decoration and Bar
Bar

The Bar is silver-gilt and has an emblem, depicting a Protea, embossed in the centre. The same bar was used to indicate multiple awards of the Pro Virtute Decoration, Southern Cross Decoration, Pro Merito Decoration and Ad Astra Decoration. [11]

Ribbon

The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide and dark blue, with a 4 millimetres wide white band in the centre.

Discontinuation

Conferment of the decoration was discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003, when the Southern Cross Decoration and the Pro Merito Decoration were both replaced by the new iPhrothiya yeGolide. [7] [12]

Related Research Articles

Southern Cross Medal (1952)

The Southern Cross Medal of 1952, post-nominal letters SM, is a South African military decoration which was instituted by the Union of South Africa in 1952. It was awarded for outstanding devotion to duty and was originally available to all ranks, but from 1967 until July 1975, when it was discontinued, it was reserved for officers.

Pro Merito Medal (1967)

The Pro Merito Medal of 1967, post-nominal letters PMM, is a military decoration which was instituted by the Republic of South Africa in 1967. It was awarded to other ranks of the South African Defence Force for outstanding devotion to duty and was the non-commissioned officers' version of the Southern Cross Medal of 1952 (SM), which had earlier been available to all ranks.

Pro Virtute Decoration

The Pro Virtute Decoration, post-nominal letters PVD, is a military decoration for bravery which was instituted by the Republic of South Africa in 1987. It was awarded to officers of the South African Defence Force for distinguished conduct and exceptional leadership during combat operations in the field.

Medical Service Cross

The Medical Service Cross, post-nominal letters CC, is a military decoration which was instituted by the Republic of South Africa in 1987. It was awarded to members of the South African Medical Service for bravery. The Medical Service Cross was discontinued in 2003, but backdated awards can still be made for acts of bravery during this period.

Southern Cross Medal (1975)

The Southern Cross Medal of 1975, post-nominal letters SM, is a military decoration which was instituted by the Republic of South Africa on 1 July 1975. It was awarded to officers of the South African Defence Force for exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty.

Defence Force Commendation Medal

The Defence Force Commendation Medal was instituted by the State President of the Republic of Bophuthatswana in 1982. It could be awarded to all ranks for service of a high standard.

Defence Force Merit Decoration

The Defence Force Merit Decoration was instituted by the State President of the Republic of Bophuthatswana in 1982, for award to officers for distinguished service of high quality and utmost devotion to duty.

Sandile Decoration

The Sandile Decoration, post-nominal letters SD, was instituted by the President of the Republic of Ciskei in 1988, for award to all ranks for meritorious service.

Chief C.D.F. Commendation Medal

The Chief C.D.F. Commendation Medal was instituted by the President of the Republic of Ciskei in 1992, for award to all ranks for service commended by the Chief of the Ciskei Defence Force.

Star for Bravery in Gold

The Star for Bravery in Gold, post-nominal letters SBG, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, who have distinguished themselves during the "struggle" by performing acts of exceptional bravery in great danger.

Star for Bravery in Silver

The Star for Bravery in Silver, post-nominal letters SBS, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, who had distinguished themselves during the "struggle" by performing acts of bravery.

Conspicuous Leadership Star

The Conspicuous Leadership Star, post-nominal letters CLS, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, who have distinguished themselves during the "struggle" by distinguished conduct and exceptional combat leadership.

Decoration for Merit in Gold

The Decoration for Merit in Gold, post-nominal letters DMG, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, who had distinguished themselves during the "struggle" by outstanding service and utmost devotion to duty.

Merit Medal in Silver

The Merit Medal in Silver, post-nominal letters MMS, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, who had distinguished themselves during the "struggle" by exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty.

Merit Medal in Bronze

The Merit Medal in Bronze, post-nominal letters MMB, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, who had distinguished themselves during the "struggle" by service of a high order.

Gold Decoration for Merit

The Gold Decoration for Merit, post-nominal letters GDM, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of the Azanian People's Liberation Army, the military wing of the Pan Africanist Congress, for outstanding service and utmost devotion to duty during the "struggle".

Silver Medal for Merit

The Silver Medal for Merit, post-nominal letters SMM, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of the Azanian People's Liberation Army, the military wing of the Pan Africanist Congress, for exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty during the "struggle".

Bronze Medal for Merit

The Bronze Medal for Merit, post-nominal letters BMM, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of the Azanian People's Liberation Army, the military wing of the Pan Africanist Congress, for service of a high order during the "struggle".

References

  1. South African Medal Website - Post-nominal Letters (Accessed 28 April 2015)
  2. SA Army - Uniform: Former Forces Medals - South African Defence Force (SADF)
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 South African Medal Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
  4. 1 2 Alexander, E.G.M., Barron, G.K.B. and Bateman, A.J. (1986). South African Orders, Decorations and Medals. Human and Rousseau.
  5. 1 2 Monick, S, (1988). South African Military Awards 1912-1987. South African National Museum of Military History.
  6. 1 2 South African Medal Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
  7. 1 2 Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003
  8. 1 2 3 Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 15093, Pretoria, 3 September 1993
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005. OCLC   72827981 In the document, the printed identification number is 9771682584003.
  10. Mussell, John W.; Editorial Team of Medal News (2004). Mackay, James, ed. The Medal Yearbook 2004. Devon, UK: Token Publishing Ltd. p. 380. ISBN   978-1-870192-62-0.
  11. Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 26778, Pretoria, 17 September 2004