Pro Virtute Medal

The Pro Virtute Medal, post-nominal letters PVM, was 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]

Pro Virtute Medal
TypeMilitary decoration for bravery
Awarded forDistinguished conduct and outstanding combat leadership in the field
Country South Africa
Presented bythe State President
EligibilityOther Ranks
Post-nominalsPVM
StatusDiscontinued in 2003
Established1987
First awardedNever awarded
Ribbon bar

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][3][4]

Description
Rejected specimen

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.

Obverse

The Pro Virtute Medal was 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.[5]

Reverse

The reverse had the pre-1994 South African Coat of Arms over the words "PRO VIRTUTE", framed by a laurel wreath.

Pro Virtute Medal and Bar
Bar

The bar was struck in silver and had an emblem depicting a Protea embossed in the centre. The same bar was used to indicate multiple awards of the Army Cross, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, Medical Service Cross, Southern Cross Medal (1975) and Pro Merito Medal (1975).[6]

Ribbon

The ribbon was 32 millimetres wide and orange, with two pale blue bands, each 4 millimetres wide and spaced 4 millimetres apart.

Discontinuation

The decoration was never awarded and now never will be. Conferment of the Pro Virtute Medal was officially discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003.[7][8]

References
  1. South African Medal Website - Post-nominal Letters (Accessed 28 April 2015)
  2. South African Medal Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
  3. Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 15093, Pretoria, 3 September 1993
  4. Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, OCLC 72827981
  5. South African Medal Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
  6. 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.
  7. Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003
  8. Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 26778, Pretoria, 17 September 2004
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