Pro Merito Medal

Infobox Military Award
name=Pro Merito Medal - 1st Type


caption= Ribbon: 32mm, sky blue with an orange-white-blue-white-orange centre panel
awarded_by=South African Defence Force
type=Medal
eligibility=
for=Outstanding devotion to duty
status=Discontinued
first_award= 1968
last_award= 1975
individual=
higher=Southern Cross Medal

The Pro Merito Medal was a South African military decoration that was in use from 1967 to 2003. There were two distinct versions.

The first type, introduced on 6 June 1967, was awarded to "other ranks" (enlisted men) for outstanding devotion to duty. The "other ranks" had previously been eligible for the Southern Cross Medal.

The medal is silver, displaying a red disa flower framed in a wreath of protea flowers. The reverse displays the 1910-pattern South African coat of arms. The ribbon is sky blue, with an orange-white-blue-white-orange centre panel (the colours of the national flag at that time).

Infobox Military Award
name=Pro Merito Medal - 2nd Type


caption= Ribbon: 32mm, dark blue with a white centre stripe
awarded_by=South African Defence Force
type=Medal
eligibility=
for=Exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty
status=Discontinued
first_award= 1976
last_award= 2003?
individual=
higher=Southern Cross Medal

The second type, introduced on 1 July 1975, was awarded to other ranks, for exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty. It was superseded by the iPhrothiya yeSiliva decoration on 27 April 2003.

In practice, it was generally a requirement that recipients must already have received the Military Merit Medal.

The medal is silver, and displays a red disa on a dark blue roundel in the centre of a starburst of radiating points. The reverse displays the 1910-pattern South African coat of arms. The ribbon is that of the Pro Merito Decoration with the addition of white stripes down the edges.

The equivalent award for officers was the Southern Cross Medal.

References

* Alexander, E. G. M., Barron G. K. B. and Bateman, A. J. (1986). "South African Orders, Decorations and Medals". Human and Rousseau.

* Monick, S, (1988). "South African Military Awards 1912-1987". South African National Museum of Military History.

ee also

* British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
* South African military decorations

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/militaf/ South African Medals Website]