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APPROVED MEDALS WILL BE DISPATCHED TO SAMVO FOR ONWARD DISTRIBUTION TO YOU
Fill out the online form or download a copy and email it godfrey.g@iafrica.com

Once you submit your Medal Application in full to SAMVO Medal Office at godfreyg@iafrica.com under the management of Veteran Godfrey Giles. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application within 48 hours.

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SADF/SANDF MEDAL APPLICATION FORM

SECTION 1
Contents and Guidelines

  1. Section 2. Personal Details - all applicants to complete in full. (if only requesting certificates, please list medal number/s in the “Medal Status” column.)

  2. Section 3. Service details within the Republic of South Africa - all applicants to complete in full.

  3. Section 4. Service in the Citizen/Reserve Force / Commando’s - all applicants to complete in full.

  4. Section 5. Service in South West Africa/Namibia - all applicants to complete in full.

  5. Section 6. External Operations in Angola / Lesotho - all applicants to complete in full.

  6. Section 7. Declaration - all applicants to sign.                                                                                    Important notes - please read carefully

  7. Members are eligible to an initial issue of medals paid by the State. Thereafter one must pay for replacements.

  8. All relevant sections MUST be FULLY completed, and the application form signed.

  9. Full-Service Records MUST be provided in ALL cases. (If you do not have this, request SAMVO Medal Office to obtain this for you. This has to go to DoD Archives and can take weeks to obtain.)

  10. Certified copy of South African ID and / or current Passport must be provided in ALL cases.

  11. Affidavit to be provided for ALL applications when medal has been awarded but never received.

  12. Affidavit to be provided for ALL applications for the replacement of “Lost, Stolen or Misplaced” medals.

  13. A South African Police Services (SAPS) Case Number relating to “Lost and/or Stolen” medal/s.

  14. More information is best – this will assist in tracing the correct records and establishing which medal/s you qualify for. Please note that SANDF Ceremonial does not do research but rather just to check the facts you have submitted.

  15. Force number – if you cannot remember it, request SAMVO Medal Office to try to obtain this for you.

  16. SAMVO will make every effort to process you application as quickly as possible. Please be mindful that applications are subject to lengthy processing periods once it has been received by the SANDF, which in some cases, may be more than several months.

  17. If there are any costs for replacement medals, SANDF Ceremonial will let SAMVO Medal Office know and will then communicate with you about this.

  18. Process - Once you submit your Medal Application in full to SAMVO Medal Office at godfreyg@iafrica.com under the management of Veteran Godfrey Giles. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application within 48 hours.SAMVO Medals Office in Johannesburg, will:

  19. Check the documentation and if correct

  20. Submit the medal applications in batches, to the correct SANDF Ceremonial office.

  21. They will make personal follow-up visits to Pretoria.

  22. SAMVO Medal Office will confirm within a few weeks if additional information is required or not.

  23. Once the medals are approved, SAMVO will pick them up in Pretoria - you can collect the medals or we can courier them to you at your cost.

  24. Any further enquiries about your application should be communicated directly with our SAMVO Medal Office at godfreyg@iafrica.com.

  25. Contact details – as this process may take a long time, please ensure you update your contact details whenever they change. This will ensure all updates, queries or clarifications will reach you.

  26. SAMVO Medal Office will require a payment of ZAR300 (AUD$30) (plus costs for packaging and courier/postage) on the successful issue of your medals form the SANDF.

  27. Once payment has been made the SAMVO Medal Office will parcel and get the medals ready for couriering them to the address you have provided.

SECTION 2 
Personal, Service and Medal Details
Contact Details

SECTION 3 

Service details within the Republic of South Africa

Did you serve in any capacity (Base and/or Deployments) within the Republic of South Africa? If so, please furnish as much information as you can, including dates and units and Platoon/Section/Unit/Flight Commander, if known.

SECTION 4

Service details in the Citizen/Reserve Force and Commando's

Did you serve in any capacity within the Citizen/ Reserve Force and/or Commando’s? If so, please furnish as much information as you can, including dates and units and Platoon/Section/Unit/Flight Commander, if known.

SECTION 5

Service details in South West Africa/Namibia

Were you deployed on duty in anywhere in South West Africa/Namibia? If so, please furnish as much information as you can, including dates and units and Platoon/Section/Unit/Flight Commander, if known

SECTION 6

External Operations in Angola/ Lesotho

Were you involved in an identifiable operation in Angola or Lesotho? If so, please provide as much information, including the operation name, dates and your Platoon/Section/Unit/Flight Commander, if known.

SECTION 7

Important Notes

  1. Please provide as much information as you can. This will assist in tracing the correct records and establishing which medal/s you may qualify for.

  2. If you cannot remember your force number, then your ID number may be sufficient.

  3. If your medal/s have been awarded, they will be dispatched to SAMVO for onward distribution to you.

  4. SAMVO will require your payment of ZAR300 (plus packaging and postage) on the successful issue of your medals from the SANDF.

  5. Please ensure that your contact details are up to date. In the event of any queries or clarifications which may be required, we will make every attempt to reach you using the contact details you have provided.

  6. Please note that we are not able to process any applications on behalf of former South African Police members who are applying specifically for outstanding South African Police medals.

SECTION 8 - Declaration

I understand that it is an offence to make a false or deliberately misleading statement in support of this application.

I,                                                                                  make this declaration conscientiously, believing the same to be true

Thanks for submitting a medal Request, we will communicate with you for any further details.

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MEDAL DETAILS

Pro Patria Medal (PPM)

Post Nominal Letters:  None

Period: 1975-1991

Awarded to - All members of the SADF engaged in preventing, or combating, terrorism (Predominantly viewed as “the Border War” medal for active service in S.W.A.) NOTE: Members of the South African Police who performed such services do not qualify for the award, receiving instead the South African Police Medal for Combatting Terrorism (Also instituted 1974) The same for members of the now obsolete South African Railways Police – receiving the South African Railways Police Medal for Combating Terrorism.

Criteria - Rule 5 published in GG# 5171 dated 25/06/1976 stated the medal may be awarded to a person who, while performing service in defence of the Republic or for the prevention or suppression of Terrorism:

  1. Was involved in combat or skirmish or in a combat situation with the enemy, or

  2. Participated in a specific operation that shall be acknowledged by order of the Minister by means of the medal and clasp indicating the name of the Operation concerned, or

  3. Rendered such service for a continuous period of at least 60 days in an Operational area designated for that purpose by the Minister.

This ruling gave it the characteristics of a COMBAT AWARD. A Warrant dated 18/05/1977 amended the period of service to at least 55 days or for a non-continuous period of at least 90 days in an Operational area as designated by the Minister.

Clasp - was authorized in Rules 2 & 6 (GG# 5171) dated 25-06-1976 it was only in 1986 that the “CUNENE” Clasp was gazetted (For participation in Operation SAVANNAH in 1975-1976).

 

South African Medal (SAM)

Post Nominal Letters:  None

Period: 01/04/1976-16/04/2003

Awarded to - All ranks of the SADF and other armed forces attached to or servicing with or rendering service to the SADF.

Criteria - The medal was awarded to all Officers and other Ranks of the SADF, or any other armed forces attached to or serving with or rendering service to SADF, whilst on service in the defence of the Republic, on service in the prevention or suppression of terrorism, and who have taken part in an operation conducted across the borders of the Republic of South Africa or South West Africa, or outside the said borders took part in actions in preparations for or in support of such operations, and during which such member was exposed to the risk of danger of loss of life, or of being wounded or of being taken prisoner by the enemy. The Southern Africa Medal takes precedent immediately after the Pro Patria Medal.

Clasp – None.

 

General Service Medal (GSM)

Post Nominal Letters:  None

Period: 01/01/1983-27/04/1994

Awarded to - All members of the SADF.

Criteria - The medal was awarded to a member of the SADF or the Auxiliary services of the SADF, who has since 01-01-1983 been employed, within the borders of the Republic of South Africa, in the prevention or suppression of terrorism, or in internal disorder in the Republic, or in the preservation of life, health or property, or for the maintenance of essential services, including the maintenance of law and order or the prevention of crime I co-operation with the South African Police. A Clasp to the medal, the MALUTI CLASP, was instituted by Warrant on the 09/05/2002, to members of the SADF who distinguished themselves by participation in Operation BOLEAS and Operation MALUTI in Lesotho.

  1. Service rendered within the Borders of South Africa for a continuous period of 55 days, or for a non-continuous period of 90 days.

  2. Whilst rendering such service, irrespective of the period of service, was injured or killed and was thus prevented from completing the required period of service.

Clasp – None.

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John Chard Decoration (JCD)

Post Nominal Letters:  JCD

Period: 06/04/1952-16/04/2003

Awarded to - A member of the Active Citizen Force, irrespective of Rank.

Criteria - The John Chard Medal was awarded to a member of the ACF, irrespective of rank, who is a SA Citizen and who completed 20 years qualifying service on or after 6th April 1952.

Clasp - A Silver BAR was awarded denoting a further 10 years’ service – thus totalling 30 years’ service in the ACF. The holders of the JCM or JCD distinguished the Arm of Service they serve by wearing a ribbon device on their medal ribbon

  1. Miniature crossed words – ARMY

  2. Miniature Eagle – AIR FORCE

  3. Miniature Rod of Aesculapius – MEDICAL SERVICES

 

John Chard Medal (JCM)

Post Nominal Letters:  None

Period: 06/04/1952-16/04/2003

Awarded to - A member of the Active Citizen Force, irrespective of Rank.

Criteria - The John Chard Medal was awarded to a member of the ACF, irrespective of rank, who is a SA Citizen and who completed 12 years qualifying service on or after 6th April 1952. In 1975 the qualifying period was reduced to 10 years of service in the ACF.

Clasp - The holders of the JCM or JCD distinguished the Arm of Service they serve by wearing a ribbon device on their medal ribbon

  1. Miniature crossed words – ARMY

  2. Miniature Eagle – AIR FORCE

  3. Miniature Rod of Aesculapius – MEDICAL SERVICES

 

Good Service Medal – Bronze, Silver and Gold (10, 20, 30 Year)

Post Nominal Letters:  None

Period: 01/07/1975-16/04/2003

Awarded to - All members of the SADF who completed the qualifying period. WEF 31/12/1992 members of the Commandos and the Citizen Force were excluded.

Criteria - Awarded to all members of the SADF who have completed 10, 20 and 30 Years of irreproachable service on or after 01/07/1975. 10 years has one stripe, 20 year has two stripes and 30 years has three stripes. Permanent Force Members – Green ribbon with WHITE stripe down either side of the outer edge. Citizen Force Members – Green ribbon with BLUE stripe down either side of the outer edge Commando Members – Green ribbon with ORANGE stripe down either side of the outer edge.  In 1986 the ribbon was redesigned to consist of for 10 years two vertical bronze stripes either side of a green stripe – all of equal width, 20 years two vertical green stripes in the middle and three white stripes either side – all of equal width, 30 years two vertical yellow stripes in the middle and three green stripes either side – all of equal width.

Clasp – None.

 

De Wet Medal (DWM)

Post Nominal Letters:  DWM

Period: 27/04/1994-10/05/1994

Awarded to - Members serving with a Commando of the SADF, irrespective of Rank.

Criteria - The Medal was awarded to a member who

  1. Had completed not less than 10 years qualifying service

  2. On the date on which he completed such qualifying service, was serving with a Commando of the SADF

  3. And was in every way considered deserving and worthy of the award

Clasp – None.

 

Unitas Medal (UM)

Post Nominal Letters:  None

Period: 04/11/1987-26/04/2003

Awarded to - Awarded to all ranks who were on the active strength of these seven-constituent military.

Criteria - The Unitas Medal was awarded to all ranks who were on the active strength of these seven constituent military forces on 27 April 1994 and until at least 10 May 1994, and to the President, the Minister of Defence, and the Deputy Minister of Defence. Personnel of the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT) who were serving in South Africa at the time, were subsequently also awarded the Unitas Medal

Clasp – None.

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