Southern Cross Decoration
Encyclopedia
The Southern Cross Decoration was a South African military decoration
. It was instituted on July 1, 1975, and was awarded to officers 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 officer must already have been awarded the Southern Cross Medal
. The SD was discontinued with effect from April 27, 2003.
The decoration is a gold double Maltese cross
. The obverse is white, and In the centre is a dark blue roundel displaying the stars of the Southern Cross. The South African coat of arms appears on the reverse.
The ribbon is dark blue with two white lines down the centre.
The equivalent award for "other ranks" (enlisted men) was the Pro Merito Decoration
. Both have been superseded by the iPhrothiya yeGolide
decoration.
South African military decorations
An overview of South African military decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.-1894–1913:The colonial military forces received British military decorations in wartime. From 1894, the colonial governments awarded medals for distinguished conduct and for long...
. It was instituted on July 1, 1975, and was awarded to officers of the South African Defence Force
South African Defence Force
The South African Defence Force was the South African armed forces from 1957 until 1994. The former Union Defence Force was renamed to the South African Defence Force in the Defence Act of 1957...
, for outstanding service of the highest order, and utmost devotion to duty. In practice, it was usually a requirement that the officer must already have been awarded the Southern Cross Medal
Southern Cross Medal
The Southern Cross Medal was a South African military decoration that was in use from 1952 to 2003. There were two distinct versions.The first type, introduced on 6 April 1952, was awarded for outstanding devotion to duty...
. The SD was discontinued with effect from April 27, 2003.
The decoration is a gold double Maltese cross
Maltese cross
The Maltese cross, also known as the Amalfi cross, is identified as the symbol of an order of Christian warriors known as the Knights Hospitaller or Knights of Malta and through them came to be identified with the Mediterranean island of Malta and is one of the National symbols of Malta...
. The obverse is white, and In the centre is a dark blue roundel displaying the stars of the Southern Cross. The South African coat of arms appears on the reverse.
The ribbon is dark blue with two white lines down the centre.
The equivalent award for "other ranks" (enlisted men) was the Pro Merito Decoration
Pro Merito Decoration
The Pro Merito Decoration was a South African military decoration. It was instituted on 1 July 1975, and was awarded to "other ranks" 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...
. Both have been superseded by the iPhrothiya yeGolide
IPhrothiya yeGolide
iPhrothiya yeGolide is a South African military decoration. It was instituted with effect from 27 April 2003, and may be awarded to members of the South African National Defence Force for exceptional leadership, or exceptional meritorious service and utmost devotion to duty...
decoration.
See also
- British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
- South African military decorationsSouth African military decorationsAn overview of South African military decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.-1894–1913:The colonial military forces received British military decorations in wartime. From 1894, the colonial governments awarded medals for distinguished conduct and for long...