- Time Period: Post-WW2
- Institution: 1952
- Country: South Africa
The Honoris Crux (Cross of Honor) of 1952, identified by the post-nominal letters HC, was a military honor established by the Union of South Africa in 1952.
It remained in use from 1952 to 1975 and was bestowed upon members of the South African Defence Force for acts of gallantry in combat against the enemy. However, it was phased out on July 1, 1975, when it was succeeded by a new series of four Honoris Crux decorations, each in a different class.
The Honoris Crux of 1952 recognized acts of gallantry in combat against the enemy. A Bar could be added for subsequent acts of bravery.
Only five decorations were conferred, with the first awarded in 1973 and the others in 1974 and 1975. All recipients were helicopter pilots and flight engineers of the South African Air Force, with Captain A.P. (Aap) Möller receiving the first decoration. Notably, no bars were ever added to the decoration.
The South African Honoris Crux Medal Design
The Honoris Crux of 1952 is a silver-gilt Maltese cross designed to fit within a 45-millimeter diameter circle. The cross features arms adorned with green enamel and four eagles positioned between the arms, all facing towards their right. At the center, there is a roundel divided horizontally into enameled orange, white, and blue bands, symbolizing the national flag. Encircling this roundel is a red ring inscribed with “HONORIS CRUX.” The cross is suspended from a laurel wreath, forming a circular ribbon hanger, with the leaves depicted in green enamel.
The reverse side displays the pre-1994 South African coat of arms, with the decoration number stamped at the bottom of the rim. Prior to South Africa becoming a republic in 1961, specimens featured Queen Elizabeth’s royal cipher (E II R) above the coat of arms. However, the royal cipher was removed in 1961 without relocating the coat of arms to the center of the decoration.
The ribbon measures 32 millimeters in width and features a pattern consisting of a 3-millimeter-wide red band, followed by a 2-millimeter-wide white band, a 22-millimeter-wide dark green band, another 2-millimeter-wide white band, and finally, another 3-millimeter-wide red band.
