Southern Cross Medal (1975)

The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994, it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).^[2][3][4]

The Southern Cross Medal of 1975, post-nominal letters SM, was instituted by the State President on 1 July 1975 and replaced the Southern Cross Medal of 1952.^[2][5]

It was awarded to officers of the South African Defence Force for exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty. The use of post-nominal letters by all recipients was allowed from 1993. A bar, instituted in 1993 as well, could be awarded in recognition of further similar displays of meritorious service and devotion to duty.^[2][5]

While not prescribed, the practice was generally that recipients must already have received the Military Merit Medal. The equivalent award for other ranks was the Pro Merito Medal of 1975.^[2]

Although a rare occurrence, some officers were awarded both versions of the Southern Cross Medal, one such example being Vice-Admiral Lambert Jackson Woodburne DVR, SD, SM, former Chief of the Navy. In such cases, the post-nominal letters "SM" are used once only.

The position of the Southern Cross Medal of 1975 in the official order of precedence was revised three times after 1975, to accommodate the inclusion or institution of new decorations and medals, first upon the integration into the South African National Defence Force on 27 April 1994, again when decorations and medals were belatedly instituted in April 1996 for the two former non-statutory forces, the Azanian People's Liberation Army and Umkhonto we Sizwe, and again when a new series of military orders, decorations and medals was instituted in South Africa on 27 April 2003. Its position remained unchanged, as it was on 27 April 1994, upon the latter two occasions.^[6]

South African Defence Force until 26 April 1994

• Official SADF order of precedence:
  • Preceded by the Pro Merito Medal (1967) (PMM).
  • Succeeded by the Pro Merito Medal (1975) (PMM).^[7]
• Official national order of precedence:
  • Preceded by the Medal for Merit in the South African Prisons Service.
  • Succeeded by the Pro Merito Medal (1975) (PMM).^[7]

South African National Defence Force from 27 April 1994

• Official SANDF order of precedence:
  • Preceded by the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver of the Republic of Venda.
  • Succeeded by the Pro Merito Medal (1975) (PMM) of the Republic of South Africa.^[6]
• Official national order of precedence:
  • Preceded by the Medal for Merit in the Prisons Service of the Republic of South Africa.
  • Succeeded by the Pro Merito Medal (1975) (PMM) of the Republic of South Africa.^[6]