Pro Virtute Medal
| Pro Virtute Medal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Awarded by the State President | |
| Country |
.svg.png){kind=small} South Africa |
| Type | Military decoration for bravery |
| Eligibility | Other Ranks |
| Awarded for | Distinguished conduct and outstanding combat leadership in the field |
| Status | Discontinued in 2003 |
| Post-nominals | PVM |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1987 |
| First awarded | Never awarded |
| Order of wear | |
| Next (higher) |
Louw Wepener Medal |
| Next (lower) |
Ad Astra Decoration |
 Ribbon bar | |
The Pro Virtute Medal, post-nominal letters PVM, is a military decoration for bravery that was instituted by the Republic of South Africa in 1987, but never awarded. The decoration was intended for award to other ranks of the South African Defence Force for distinguished conduct and outstanding combat leadership in the field.[1][2]
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).[2][3][4][5][6]
Institution
The Pro Virtute Medal, post-nominal letters PVM, was instituted by the State President in 1987.[2]
Award criteria
The medal could be awarded to other ranks of the South African Defence Force for distinguished conduct and outstanding combat leadership in the field. A bar, instituted in 1993, could be awarded in recognition of further similar displays of combat leadership in the field.[2]
Order of wear
The Pro Virtute Medal still appeared in the official order of precedence table that was published on 3 September 1993 but, since it was never awarded and was officially discontinued on 27 April 2003, it was no longer listed when a new table was published on 11 March 2005.[7][8]
- South African Defence Force until 26 April 1994
- Official SADF order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Louw Wepener Medal (LWM).
- Succeeded by the Ad Astra Decoration (AAD).[7]
- Official national order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Louw Wepener Medal (LWM).
- Succeeded by the Ad Astra Decoration (AAD).[7]
Description
The first proof version 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.
- Obverse
The Pro Virtute Medal is a silver medallion, 38 millimetres in diameter, depicting a five-armed Maltese cross with one arm pointing down and a raised roundel framed by three rings in the centre.[3]
- Reverse
The reverse has the pre-1994 South African Coat of Arms over the words "PRO VIRTUTE", framed by a laurel wreath.
- Bar
The bar was struck in silver and has an emblem depicting a Protea embossed in the centre. The same bar was used to indicate multiple awards of the Pro Virtute Medal, Army Cross, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, Medical Service Cross, Southern Cross Medal (1975) and Pro Merito Medal (1975).[9]
- Ribbon
The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide and orange with two pale blue bands, each 4 millimetres wide and spaced 4 millimetres apart.
Discontinuation
Conferment of the Pro Virtute Medal was officially discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003.[6][10]
References
- ↑ South African Medal Website - Post-nominal Letters (Accessed 28 April 2015)
- 1 2 3 4 South African Medal Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
- 1 2 South African Medal Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
- ↑ Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1952-1975
- ↑ Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1975-2003
- 1 2 Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003
- 1 2 3 Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 15093, Pretoria, 3 September 1993
- ↑ Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, OCLC 72827981
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 26778, Pretoria, 17 September 2004