SAMedals

Bronze Protea for Merit - South African National Defence Force

Silver Protea for Merit - South African National Defence Force

Gold Protea for Merit - South African National Defence Force

Bronze Leopard for Bravery - South African National Defence Force

Hi Arthur R,

Thanks for this info - I have finally managed to find a set of New South African National Defence Force Medals - (See following posts)

Gold Leopard for Bravery

Silver Leopard for Bravery

This appears to be the silver class of the decoration: iPhrothiya yeSiliva/Silver Protea, but the ribbon is that of the Nkwe ya Gauta/Golden Leopard, which is the highest decoration for bravery.

Pics and details of all current SA National Defence Force medals (and pics of earlier SA military decorations and medals) are available on the SANDF website:

http://www.army.mil.za/aboutus/uniform/sandfmedals/index.htm

Hi Arthur R,

Thanks for this info - I have finally managed to find a set of New South African National Defence Force Medals - (See following posts)

Gold Leopard for Bravery

A New South African medal - Gold medal for Merit - Protea.

Has anyone got any more pictures of New South African Defence Force Medals?

Well spotted. Now that I take a closer look at those two pics, I see that the LWM is not only silver when it should be bronze, but the wording is English before Afrikaans, when it should be the other way round. I'd guess that that particular photo has been doctored at some point.

Excellent observation - not only is the wording wrong - but on the wrong medals - definately some doctoring here.

SAMedals

Just found out that the SA Army website has colour photos (not very good quality) of past and present SA military medals, including those from the former homelands.

http://www.army.mil.za/aboutus/uniform/for...edals/index.htm

I've picked up an error though: the "President's Medal for Shooting" shown on the former SADF medal page was actually a Ciskei Defence Force medal.

Hi, I have also noticed that the Louw Wepener Decoration seems to be bronze and the Louw Wepener Medal seems to be in silver - when I think they should be the other way round.

Cheers - SAMedals

Hi SAMedals

Thanks for pointing out the Blaauw miniature medals group. Amazing! I wonder where the full size medals are?

A friend recently visited the SAAF Museum in Pretoria and he sent me photos of some of the exhibits, including one that includes the miniature medals of S van Breda Theron, the first OC of 2 Squadron in Korea. I have tried to reduce the pic to 70k, which is all I am allowed to post, but that is too small for the subject matter. Like Blaauw's group, it is amazing - 22 medals in all!

I think I have reached the limit of SA Korea medals in my collection - they are just too expensive, especially ones to pilots. The Williamson group was given to me by a friend and I don't have any other friends as generous as that.

Regards

Brett

Hi Brett,

Thanks for the reply. Please PM me the pics from the museum if you can - I've attached a pic of a set o medals that I think belong to a brigadier who spent time in Korea (for the life of me I can't remember his name) perhaps you can help?

Regards, Gary

Leigh

There isn't a Fleury on the roll I use - perhaps another 'F'? If you have a picture of the tunic, I would be interested to see it.

Norman

The roll I use is the one published in the book by Winston Brent, "Flying Cheetahs" Korea 1950-1953, which was published in 2001 by Freeworld Publications. It is well illustrated and has lots of facts and figures. Amongst the statistics included are the following:

South African Korea Medal - 818

UN Korea Medal - 818

Korean Korea Medal - 818

US medals: Legion of Merit - 3; Silver Star - 2; Distinguished Flying Cross - 55; Cluster to DFC - 1; Soldier's Medal - 1; Bronze Star - 46; Air Medal - 180; Cluster to Air Medal - 104.

34 pilots and one ground crewman were killed in action or died in accidents, while one pilot died shortly after the war from the effects of ill-treatment while a PoW.

I hope this helps.

Regards

Brett

Here is a thread you may find interesting - the mini group was to a 'Blaauw'

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtop...st&p=288272

YES, the China 1900 medal was awarded in Bronze to REGIMENTAL FOLLOWERS in the Indian Army, and no, CLASPs were not awarded for the BRONZE version.

What is the naming on the Bronze Medal, one was sold at DNW late last week.

They are not rare, however due to the hard life they had they are usually battered, and should you see one in a pair expect to pay a premium.

Hi, Unfortunately I dont have the medal, but I've sent the owner this link - perhaps he'll let us know if the medal was named. - SAMedals

So far as I know, this clasp came only in silver. What is the naming? If legitimate, this would be VERY interesting!

Only have naming on the second one - 4212 Corporal Henry Shaw - 2nd Batallion 60th Regiment Royal Rifles.

Hi all,

Perhaps someone can help here?

I have been asked if the China Medal with a 'Taku Forts' clasp was ever awarded in bronze and what the average price would be? (if there is a brass type) Also if the medal was ever struck in bronze?

I have only known them to be in silver.

Regards, Gary.

Silver version

Another version

Megan, thanks for the pics, they are great.

I am really fascinated at how Decorations for acts of gallantry in the saving of lives can be 'politically incorrect'????

Morning SAMedals

Refer to your post nr 40

The second group, the one with the DVR, belongs to 01455500E Col J.D. Breytenbach, DVR, SD, SM. He was a legend in the SADF, being involved with the establishment of South Africa's Special Forces and being the founding commander of the legendary 32 Bn. I hope you enjoy such a unique group, even in miniature form.

Regards

Norman

Hi Norman,

Thanks for the info, I was aware of who the group belonged to but never had his force number (thanks for this) I had the good fortune to 'work' with 32 Bn when I was based at Ondangwa in 1985 - not directly but did some Lunar ops with the SAAF as a spotter for them. Post #41 (minis) is a group that belonged to one of South Africa's highest decorated pilots - Brigadier J P D Blaauw- one of only 2 South Africans to receive the US Silver Star during the Korean war where he completed more than 100 missions most with the Cheetahs in a F51 Mustang. It took some serious medal hunting to find these groups - The full size groups are even rarer and cost the earth when one does find them.

Best regards,

Gary

Are these named on the rims so attribution is possible? Banned or still wearable?

Medals with naming on the rims and the WW2 campaign stars named on the back can stil be researched - and sometimes information for medals awarded to post WW2 recipients, would be included with the WW2 info. Medals awarded from Korea war onwards - information is available on a sliding scale, because as the medals awarded become more modern, the less information is available.

Some recipients info is available from numbered medals, but this is usually a 'hit and miss' affair.

Hi "Rick Research" A few more groups -

And some more -

Ahhhh.... I was just going to ask if you could show mounted groups!

The designs, colors, and construction of these puts modern international "aesthetics" to shame.

Hi "Rick Research" A few more groups -

My latest - if only I can find the full size group!!

Hi Norman, - Thanks for the D Theron medal. Do you ever buy off Bid-or-Buy?

Thanks for the chart - but please see a scanned picture of a SADF issued certificate and you'll see that the ribbon is suspended in the opposite direction - as I say there are conflicting ideas on this.

I have seen conflicting images and illustrations of how the SA Ad Astra Decoration Ribbon should be suspended - Can anyone help here?

Thank you very much!!!!

Can you tell me your name (by PM if you prefer) for the acknowledgements page, please?

Hi again - sent you an email via the address on your site(now firmly bookmarked)

You may have this one already?

Silver Star of Kenya