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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Use South African English|date=May 2014}}
{{infobox military award
{{infobox military award
| name = Pro Merito Decoration
| name = Pro Merito Decoration
| image = [[File:Pro Merito Decoration.jpg]]
| image = [[File:Pro Merito Decoration.jpg]]
| caption =
| caption =
| awarded_by = [[South African Defence Force]]
| awarded_by = the State President and, from 1994, the President to [[South African Defence Force]] officers
| country = {{flag|South Africa|1928}}
| country = {{flagicon|South Africa|1928}} {{flag|South Africa|1994}}
| type = Decoration
| type = Military decoration for merit
| eligibility = Other ranks
| eligibility = Other ranks
| for = Outstanding service of the highest order, and utmost devotion to duty
| for = Outstanding service of the highest order and utmost devotion to duty
| campaign =
| campaign =
| status = Discontinued
| status = Discontinued in 2003
| description = Gold Maltese cross
| description =
| motto =
| motto =
| clasps =
| clasps =
Line 16: Line 18:
| established = 1975
| established = 1975
| first_award = 1976
| first_award = 1976
| last_award = 2003?
| last_award =
| total =
| total =
| posthumous =
| posthumous =
Line 22: Line 24:
| precedence_label =
| precedence_label =
| individual =
| individual =
| higher = [[Southern Cross Decoration]]
| higher = {{plainlist|'''SADF precedence:'''<ref name="Gazette 15093"/>
*[[Southern Cross Decoration]] (SD)
}}
{{plainlist|'''SANDF precedence:'''<ref name="Gazette 27376"/>
*[[Southern Cross Decoration]] (SD)
}}
| same =
| same =
| lower = [[Southern Cross Medal]] 1975-1987<br/>[[Pro Virtute Medal]] (1987-2003)
| lower = {{plainlist|'''SADF precedence:'''<ref name="Gazette 15093"/>
*[[Van Riebeeck Medal]] (VRM)
⚫
| related =
⚫
| image2 = [[File:PMDlint.gif]]
| caption2 = 32mm, dark blue, with a white centre stripe
}}
}}
{{plainlist|'''SANDF precedence:'''<ref name="Gazette 27376"/>
*[[Conspicuous Leadership Star]] (CLS)
}}
⚫
| related =
⚫
| image2 = [[File:PMDlint.gif]]
| caption2 = Ribbon bar
}}


The '''Pro Merito Decoration''' was a [[South African military decorations|South African military decoration]]. It was instituted on 1 July 1975, and was awarded to "other ranks" (enlisted men) of the [[South African Defence Force]], for outstanding service of the highest order, and utmost devotion to duty. In practice, it was usually a requirement that the recipient must already have been awarded the [[Pro Merito Medal]]. The PMD was discontinued with effect from 27 April 2003.
The '''Pro Merito Decoration''', post-nominal letters '''PMD''', is a [[South African military decorations|military decoration for merit]] that was instituted by the [[South Africa|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.<ref name="PostNominals">[http://samw.hwmw.net46.net/sapnls.htm South African Medals Website - Post-nominal Letters]</ref><ref>[http://www.army.mil.za/aboutus/uniform/formerforcesmedals/sadf.htm SA Army - Uniform: Former Forces Medals - South African Defence Force (SADF)]</ref><ref name="SADF 1975-2003"/><ref name="Alexander">Alexander, E.G.M., Barron, G.K.B. and Bateman, A.J. (1986). ''South African Orders, Decorations and Medals''. Human and Rousseau.</ref><ref name="Monick">Monick, S, (1988). ''South African Military Awards 1912-1987''. South African National Museum of Military History.</ref>


==The South African military==
The equivalent award for officers was the [[Southern Cross Decoration]]. Both have been superseded by the [[iPhrothiya yeGolide]] decoration.
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).<ref name="SADF 1952-1975">[http://samw.hwmw.net46.net/mil52.htm South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975]</ref>


===Orders, decorations and medals===
==Design==
In April 1952 a series of military decorations and medals was instituted, consisting of substitutes for many of the British and Commonwealth awards which had earlier been used. More decorations and medals, as well as an emblem for being mentioned in dispatches, were added between 1953 and 1970. In July 1975 the military decorations and medals of the [[South Africa|Republic]] were revised. Some decorations and medals were carried over from the earlier series of 1952-1975 and new awards were instituted, followed by more between 1987 and 1991. Finally, all but one of these earlier awards were discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003, when a new set of nine decorations and medals was instituted to replace them.<ref name="SADF 1975-2003">[http://samw.hwmw.net46.net/mil75.htm South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003]</ref><ref name="SADF 1952-1975"/><ref name="Afrikaans 1">[[:af:Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1952-1975|Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1952-1975]]</ref><ref name="Afrikaans 2">[[:af:Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1975-2003|Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1975-2003]]</ref><ref name="Gazette 25213">[http://us-cdn.creamermedia.co.za/assets/articles/attachments/00893_presidentialwarrant.pdf Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003]</ref>
The decoration is a gold Maltese cross.

===Fount of Honour===
Until 1958 the top three awards were reserved for conferment by [[Elizabeth II|the Queen]] while the rest were awarded by the [[Governor-General of the Union of South Africa|Governor-General]], but in 1958 the Governor-General was authorised to also award the top three. In 1961 the State President became the [[Fount of honour|Fount of Honour]], and in 1994 the President.<ref name="SADF 1952-1975"/>

==Award criteria for the Pro Merito Decoration==
The '''Pro Merito Decoration''', post-nominal letters '''PMD''', was awarded to other ranks of the [[South African Defence Force]] for outstanding service of the highest order and utmost devotion to duty.<ref name="SADF 1975-2003"/><ref name="Alexander"/><ref name="Monick"/>

Although not prescribed, the practice was generally that the recipient must already have received the [[Pro Merito Medal (1975)|Pro Merito Medal]] (PMM). The equivalent award for officers was the [[Southern Cross Decoration]] (SD).

==Order of precedence==
The position of the Pro Merito Decoration in the official order of precedence was revised twice after 1975 to accommodate the inclusion or institution of new decorations and medals, first with the integration into the South African National Defence Force in 1994 and again with the institution of a new set of awards in 2003.

;South African Defence Force until 26 April 1994:
*Official SADF order of precedence:
** Preceded by the ''[[Southern Cross Decoration]] (SD)''.
** Succeeded by the ''[[Van Riebeeck Medal]] (VRM)''.<ref name="Gazette 15093"/>

*Official national order of precedence:
** Preceded by the ''[[Southern Cross Decoration]] (SD)''.
** Succeeded by the ''South African Police Star for Distinguished Service (SOO)''.<ref name="Gazette 15093">Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 15093, Pretoria, 3 September 1993</ref>

;South African National Defence Force from 27 April 1994:
*Official SANDF order of precedence:
** Preceded by the ''[[Southern Cross Decoration]] (SD)''.
** Succeeded by the ''[[Conspicuous Leadership Star]] (CLS)'' of [[Umkhonto we Sizwe]] (MK).<ref name="Gazette 27376"/>

*Official national order of precedence:
** Preceded by the ''[[Southern Cross Decoration]] (SD)''.
** Succeeded by the ''[[Conspicuous Leadership Star]] (CLS)'' of [[Umkhonto we Sizwe]] (MK).<ref name="Gazette 27376">Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, ISBN 9771682584003 27376</ref>

The position of the Pro Merito Decoration in the order of precedence remained unchanged, as it was on 27 April 1994, when a new series of military orders, decorations and medals was instituted on 27 April 2003.<ref name="Gazette 27376"/>

==Description==
;Obverse
;Obverse
The Pro Merito Decoration is a silver-gilt [[Maltese cross]] that 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 hanger.<ref name="SADF 1975-2003"/>
The obverse is white, and In the centre is a dark blue roundel displaying a red disa flower.

;Reverse
;Reverse
The reverse has the [[:File:Coat of Arms of South Africa (1932-2000).svg|pre-1994 South African Coat of Arms]]
The South African coat of arms appears on the reverse.
in the centre, with the decoration number stamped above and the silver hallmark below.

;Ribbon
;Ribbon
The ribbon is dark blue with a white stripe down the centre.
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 Pro Merito Decoration and the [[Southern Cross Decoration]] (SD) were both replaced by the new [[iPhrothiya yeGolide]].<ref name="Gazette 25213">[http://us-cdn.creamermedia.co.za/assets/articles/attachments/00893_presidentialwarrant.pdf Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003]</ref><ref name="Gazette 26778">Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 26778, Pretoria, 17 September 2004</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Southern Cross Decoration]]
* [[British and Commonwealth orders and decorations]]
* [[South African military decorations]]
* [[South African honours system]]
* [[South African military decorations]]
* [[South African military decorations order of precedence]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
* 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.

==External links==
* [http://samw.hwmw.net46.net South African Medals Website]


[[Category:Military awards and decorations of South Africa]]
[[Category:Military awards and decorations of South Africa]]
[[Category:SA military awards in order of precedence|114]]

Revision as of 20:01, 9 May 2014

Pro Merito Decoration
TypeMilitary decoration for merit
CountrySouth Africa  South Africa
EligibilityOther ranks
Post-nominalsPMD
StatusDiscontinued in 2003
Established1975
Ribbon bar
Precedence
Next (higher)
SADF precedence:[1]
SANDF precedence:[2]
Next (lower)
SADF precedence:[1]
SANDF precedence:[2]

The Pro Merito Decoration, post-nominal letters PMD, is a military decoration for merit that 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.[3][4][5][6][7]

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).[8]

Orders, decorations and medals

In April 1952 a series of military decorations and medals was instituted, consisting of substitutes for many of the British and Commonwealth awards which had earlier been used. More decorations and medals, as well as an emblem for being mentioned in dispatches, were added between 1953 and 1970. In July 1975 the military decorations and medals of the Republic were revised. Some decorations and medals were carried over from the earlier series of 1952-1975 and new awards were instituted, followed by more between 1987 and 1991. Finally, all but one of these earlier awards were discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003, when a new set of nine decorations and medals was instituted to replace them.[5][8][9][10][11]

Fount of Honour

Until 1958 the top three awards were reserved for conferment by the Queen while the rest were awarded by the Governor-General, but in 1958 the Governor-General was authorised to also award the top three. In 1961 the State President became the Fount of Honour, and in 1994 the President.[8]

Award criteria for the Pro Merito Decoration

The Pro Merito Decoration, post-nominal letters PMD, was awarded to other ranks of the South African Defence Force for outstanding service of the highest order and utmost devotion to duty.[5][6][7]

Although not prescribed, the practice was generally that the recipient must already have received the Pro Merito Medal (PMM). The equivalent award for officers was the Southern Cross Decoration (SD).

Order of precedence

The position of the Pro Merito Decoration in the official order of precedence was revised twice after 1975 to accommodate the inclusion or institution of new decorations and medals, first with the integration into the South African National Defence Force in 1994 and again with the institution of a new set of awards in 2003.

South African Defence Force until 26 April 1994
  • Official national order of precedence:
South African National Defence Force from 27 April 1994

The position of the Pro Merito Decoration in the order of precedence remained unchanged, as it was on 27 April 1994, when a new series of military orders, decorations and medals was instituted on 27 April 2003.[2]

Description

Obverse

The Pro Merito Decoration is a silver-gilt Maltese cross that 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 hanger.[5]

Reverse

The reverse has the pre-1994 South African Coat of Arms in the centre, with the decoration number stamped above and the silver hallmark below.

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 Pro Merito Decoration and the Southern Cross Decoration (SD) were both replaced by the new iPhrothiya yeGolide.[11][12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 15093, Pretoria, 3 September 1993
  2. ^ a b c d e Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, ISBN 9771682584003 27376
  3. ^ South African Medals Website - Post-nominal Letters
  4. ^ SA Army - Uniform: Former Forces Medals - South African Defence Force (SADF)
  5. ^ a b c d South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003
  6. ^ a b Alexander, E.G.M., Barron, G.K.B. and Bateman, A.J. (1986). South African Orders, Decorations and Medals. Human and Rousseau.
  7. ^ a b Monick, S, (1988). South African Military Awards 1912-1987. South African National Museum of Military History.
  8. ^ a b c South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975
  9. ^ Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1952-1975
  10. ^ Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1975-2003
  11. ^ a b Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003
  12. ^ Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 26778, Pretoria, 17 September 2004
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