Pro Virtute Medal
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Use South African English|date=May 2014}}
{{infobox military award
| name = Pro Virtute Medal
| image = SAW Pro Virtute Medal v.2 approved.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption =
| presenter = the State President
| country = {{flag|South Africa|1928}}
| type = Military decoration for bravery
| eligibility = Other Ranks
| awarded_for = Distinguished conduct and outstanding combat leadership in the field
| campaign =
| status = Discontinued in 2003
| description =
| motto =
| clasps =
| post-nominals = PVM
| established = 1987
| firstawarded = Never awarded
| lastawarded =
| total_awarded =
| total_awarded_posthumously =
| total_recipients =
| precedence_label =
| individual =
| higher =
| same =
| lower =
| related =
| image2 = x29px
| caption2 = Ribbon bar
}}
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.[http://www.geocities.ws/militaf/sapnls.htm#PQR South African Medal Website - Post-nominal Letters] (Accessed 28 April 2015)[http://www.geocities.ws/militaf/mil75.htm South African Medal Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003] (Accessed 30 April 2015)
Institution
The Pro Virtute Medal, post-nominal letters PVM, was instituted by the State President in 1987.
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.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, {{OCLC|72827981}}
Description
File:SAW Pro Virtute Medal v.1 rejected.jpg
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.[http://www.geocities.ws/militaf/mil52.htm 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.
File:Ribbon - Pro Virtute Medal & Bar.png
;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).{{cite book|editor-last=Mackay|editor-first=James|title=The Medal Yearbook 2004|year=2004|publisher=Token Publishing Ltd.|location=Devon, UK|isbn=978-1-870192-62-0|page=380|author1=Mussell, John W.|author2=Editorial Team of Medal News}}
;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.[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]Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 26778, Pretoria, 17 September 2004
References
{{Reflist|30em}}