Honoris Crux (1975)
| Honoris Crux (1975) | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
| |
| Awarded by the State President and, from 1994, the President | |
| Country |
  South Africa
|
| Type | Military decoration for bravery |
| Eligibility | All Ranks |
| Awarded for | Bravery in dangerous circumstances |
| Campaign(s) | 1966-1989 Border War |
| Status | Discontinued in 2003 |
| Post-nominals | HC |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1975 |
| First awarded | 1976 |
| Last awarded | 2003 |
| Total awarded | 201 |
| SADF pre-1994 & SANDF post-2002 orders of wear | |
| Next (higher) |
SADF precedence:
SANDF precedence:
|
| Next (lower) |
SADF succession:
SANDF succession:
|
.gif){kind=small} Ribbon bar | |
.svg){kind=small}
The Honoris Crux (Cross of Honour) of 1975, post-nominal letters HC, is a military decoration for bravery which was instituted by the Republic of South Africa on 1 July 1975. The decoration was awarded to members of the South African Defence Force for bravery in dangerous circumstances. It was the junior in a set of four Honoris Crux decorations in four classes, which together replaced the discontinued Honoris Crux of 1952.
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).
The Honoris Crux (Cross of Honour) of 1975, post-nominal letters HC, was instituted by the State President on 1 July 1975.
The decoration was awarded for bravery in dangerous circumstances. It was the junior of four classes of Honoris Crux decorations, the Honoris Crux Diamond, Honoris Crux Gold, Honoris Crux Silver and Honoris Crux, which together replaced the discontinued Honoris Crux of 1952.
Altogether 201 Honoris Crux decorations were awarded between 1976 and 2004. Most of the awards were won in action, but some were awarded for bravery in non-combat situations. After the institution of the Army Cross, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross and Medical Service Cross in 1987, the award criteria were amended in 1993 to restrict awarding of the Honoris Crux to deeds of bravery in action, while in mortal danger facing the enemy.
The South African military units which were awarded the most Honoris Crux decorations are the Special Forces of the South African Reconnaissance Commandos, whose operators were awarded a total of forty-six Honoris Crux Decorations during the 1966-1989 Border War, in three of the four classes.
...
Wikipedia