South African Defence Force Awards

[archie777]

I will cover the different SA Defence Force awards as soon as time allows me

 

Pictures that will be shown, will all be part of my collection, unless stated otherwise

 

The picture show, is not in my collection, but was done by a friend of mine for a client of all the difference Pro Patria Medals

 

The medal on top, was never worn as a necklet, but was only for the display, excellent display

[Megan]

Thread bookmarked in anticipation...

[archie777]

Here we have the following award:

 

Honoris Crux Diamond

 

There are numerous variants. Not all shown

[archie777]

Here we have the following award:

 

Honoris Crux Gold (HCG)

 

There are numerous variants. Not all shown

 

Only 7 were awarded

[archie777]

The HCG was awarded to 1 recipient twice

[archie777]

Here we have the following award:

 

Honoris Crux Silver (HCS)

 

There are numerous variants. Not all shown

 

Only 28 were awarded and 2 recipients received both the Honoris Crux Silver and the Honoris Crux for bravery

[archie777]

Sets awarded to recipients with the HCS and HC inclueded

 

Three sets and the uniform are part of a friend of mine's collection

[archie777]

Here we have the following award:

 

Honoris Crux 

 

There are numerous variants. Not all shown

 

199 were awarded

[archie777]

HC sets with other medals awarded

[archie777]

Here we have the following award:

 

Southern Cross Decoration

 

There are numerous variants. Not all shown

[archie777]

Here we have the following award:

 

Pro Merito Decoration

 

There are numerous variants

[archie777]

Here we have the following award:

 

Pro Merito Medal 1967 (PMM)

 

The medal was approved with the first ribbon, but changed ribbons in 1968 to the second ribbon

[archie777]

Here we have the following award:

 

Southern Cross Medal

 

There aare numerous variants. Not all shown

[archie777]

Here we have the following award:

 

Pro Merito Medal

 

There are numerous variants. Not all shown

 

Instituted in 1975 with the first ribbon. Ribbon changed in 1986 to the second ribbon

[archie777]

Here we have the following award:

 

Pro Virtute Decoration

 

9ct Gold

 

I've seen a silver gold plated variant

[archie777]

Here we have the following award:

 

Pro Virtute Medal

[Marcon1]

Hiya,

Here is some additional info/pictures to Archie’s post.

 

 (MYB:SA-9/MATT: 38)
Honoris Crux Decoration Diamond (HCD) (1975-93)
To be awarded for death-defying heroic deeds of outstanding valour. Never awarded.

Insignia: A green-enamelled gold Maltese cross, with crossed swords and protea flowers between the arms, and displaying an orange/ white/ blue roundel surrounded by eight diamonds (obverse).

Hallmarked 9ct under Coat of Arms, Unlisted by Matthysen. (Personal note: green enamel looks curved)

 

Hallmarked 9ct under Coat of Arms, Unlisted by Matthysen. (Personal note: green enamel looks flat)

 

(MYB: SA-9/MATT: 39)
Honoris Crux Decoration Gold (HCG) (1975-93)
Awarded for outstanding bravery in extreme danger. Six awards (5 crosses and one bar) were made, five of them for operational gallantry.

The double recipient - who was the most highly decorated serviceman of the Border War - was helicopter pilot Maj Arthur Walker, who won the HCD (1982) for deliberately drawing enemy fire onto himself during a night operation over Angola, and the bar (1982) for landing in enemy territory to rescue the crew of a downed helicopter.

Insignia: Same design as the HCD, but without the diamonds.

 

Uniface suspender, diff. suspender than listed in Matthysen (Unlisted), ??? hallmark below Coat of Arms. (Probably SILVER).

 

 (MYB: SA-15/MATT: 42)
Southern Cross Decoration (SD) (1975-2003)
Awarded to officers - usually of senior rank - for outstanding service and utmost devotion to duty.

Insignia: A gold double Maltese cross, enameled white, displaying the stars of the Southern Cross on a dark blue roundel (obverse).

No markings anywhere ! Not listed by Matthyssen - Strange tail to cross.( fake ??).

 

^{[1967] [1968]} (MYB: SA-17/MATT: 26)
Pro Merito Medal (PMM) - 1st Type (1967-75)
Awarded annually, to "other ranks", for outstanding devotion to duty.

Insignia: A circular silver medal, displaying a red disa flower inside a wreath of protea flowers (obverse). The original ribbon was replaced by a new design in 1968.

Numbered on rim: 516, SILVER under Coat of Arms, Unlisted by Matthysen.

 

 (MYB: SA-10/MATT: 55)
Pro Virtute Decoration (PVD) (1987-2003)
Awarded to officers, for distinguished conduct and outstanding combat leadership in the field.

Insignia: A gold 5-armed Maltese cross, enamelled white, displaying the national arms on an orange roundel (obverse).

Silver Gilt, Mathysen Type 2 (SILVER at bottom).

 

 (MYB: SA-11/MATT: 56)
Pro Virtute Medal (PVM) (1987-2003)
Awarded to "other ranks", for distinguished conduct and outstanding combat leadership in the field. (Note: Matthysen says never awarded).

Insignia: A circular silver medal, displaying a 5-armed Maltese cross (obverse).

 (Silver bar for subsequent award of Pro Virtute Medal)

 

rejected design.                                                   Accepted design.

The first proof version, which was rejected, demonstrated that a two-dimensional paper drawing does not always translate to a three-dimensional metal object successfully. The second version, which was accepted, had the arms of the cross and the central roundel embowed. - There were only 100 of these medals made. Only Five were ever presented while another nine are either in museums or in archives.

 

Regards, Marcon1.

[archie777]

Hi Marco,

 

Yes there are too many variations and I'm only covering those in my collection

 

Regards

Archie

Here we have the following award

 

The Army Cross

 

There are  numerous variations

[archie777]

Here we have the following award

 

The Air Force Cross

 

Only 2 variations were seen

[archie777]

Here we have the following award

 

The Navy Cross

 

There might be a variation with the new COA, but not seen yet

[archie777]

Here we have the following award

 

The South African Medical Service Cross

 

There might be a variation with the new COA, but not seen yet 

 

 

 

[archie777]

Here we have the following award:

 

Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service

(40 Years Service)

 

Instituted in 1987 with the first ribbon. The ribbon changed in 1994 

 

There are numerous variants

[archie777]

Here we have the following award:

 

South African Defence Force Good Service Medal Gold (30 Years Service)

 

Instituted in 1975 with three different ribbons

Permanent Force members - Green with white stripes 

Citizen Force members - Green with dark blue stripes

Commando members - Green with orange stripes

 

The ribbons change in 1992 to green and gold and Commandos and Citizen Force were excluded

 

There are numerous variants and only a few are shown

[archie777]

Here we have the following award:

 

South African Defence Force Good Service Medal Silver (20 Years Service)

 

Instituted in 1975 with three different ribbons

Permanent Force members - Green with white stripes 

Citizen Force members - Green with dark blue stripes

Commando members - Green with orange stripes

 

The ribbons change in 1992 to green and white and Commandos and Citizen Force were excluded

 

There are numerous variants and only a few are shown

[archie777]

Here we have the following award:

 

Permanent Force Good Service Medal  (18 Years Service)

 

The bar is for 30 years

 

Instituted in 1961

 

There are numerous variants and only those in my collection are shown