The Pro Virtute Medal, post-nominal letters PVM, was a military decoration for bravery that was instituted by the

Republic of South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

in 1987, but never awarded. The decoration was intended for award to other ranks of the

South African Defence Force The South African Defence Force (SADF) (Afrikaans: ''Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag'') comprised the armed forces of South Africa from 1957 until 1994. Shortly before the state reconstituted itself as a republic in 1961, the former Union Defence Fo ...

for distinguished conduct and outstanding combat leadership in the field.South African Medal Website - Post-nominal Letters
(Accessed 28 April 2015)
(Accessed 30 April 2015)

Institution

The Pro Virtute Medal,

post-nominal letters Post-nominal letters, also called post-nominal initials, post-nominal titles, designatory letters, or simply post-nominals, are letters placed after a person's name to indicate that the individual holds a position, an academic degree, accreditation ...

PVM, was instituted by the State President in 1987.

Award criteria

The medal could be awarded to other ranks of the

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.Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 15093, Pretoria, 3 September 1993Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005,

Description

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.South African Medal Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975
(Accessed 30 April 2015) ;Reverse The reverse had the pre-1994 South African Coat of Arms over the words "PRO VIRTUTE", framed by a

laurel wreath A laurel wreath is a symbol of triumph, a wreath (attire), wreath made of connected branches and leaves of the bay laurel (), an aromatic broadleaf evergreen. It was also later made from spineless butcher's broom (''Ruscus hypoglossum'') or cher ...

. ;Bar The bar was struck in silver and had an emblem depicting a

Protea ''Protea'' () is a genus of South African flowering plants, also called sugarbushes (Afrikaans: ''suikerbos''). It is the type genus of the Proteaceae family. About 92% of the species occur only in the Cape Floristic Region, a narrow belt of mo ...

embossed in the centre. The same bar was used to indicate multiple awards of the Army Cross, Air Force Cross,

Navy Cross The Navy Cross is the United States Naval Service's second-highest military decoration awarded for sailors and marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is equivalent to the Army ...

Medical Service Cross The Medical Service Cross, post-nominal letters CC (Crux Curationis), is a South African military decorations, military decoration which was instituted by the South Africa, Republic of South Africa in 1987. It was awarded to members of the Sout ...

Southern Cross Medal (1975) The Southern Cross Medal of 1975, post-nominal letters SM, is a South African military decorations, military decoration which was instituted by the South Africa, Republic of South Africa on 1 July 1975. It was awarded to officers of the South A ...

and

Pro Merito Medal (1975) The Pro Merito Medal of 1975, post-nominal letters PMM, is a South African military decorations, military decoration which was instituted by the South Africa, Republic of South Africa on 1 July 1975. It was awarded to other ranks of the South A ...

. ;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.Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003
/ref>Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 26778, Pretoria, 17 September 2004

References

{{Reflist, 30em Military decorations and medals of South Africa