Updated: 16 January, 2006

South West Africa (1919 - 20 Mar 1990)

Full list of South West Africa Medals, as provided by Gordon McGregor, in order of precedence:

Police Medals

The South West African Police Star for Outstanding Service - The South West African Police Star for Outstanding Service (this is a decoration and not a medal). This award was instituted in terms of Administrator-General Government Notices 155 and 156 published in the South West Africa Official Gazette Extraordinary No 4558, dated 4 December 1981. This award was amended in terms of Administrator-General Government Notices 44 - 46 published in the South West Africa Official Gazette No 5181, dated 15 March 1986. The decoration is awarded to any member of the South West African Police who has in the performance of his functions, or while he has acted in the protection or rescue of property or lives or attempted to do so, displayed particular bravery or exceptional ingenuity, skill or perseverance or distinguished himself by the display of leadership or sense of responsibility and personal example in any division or branch of the Force and the holder of this decoration was entitled to the post nominal letters 'SOE' when awarded this decoration. The decoration came complete with an award certificate and could also be awarded posthumously.

The South West African Police Star for Distinguished Service - The South West African Police Star for Distinguished Service (this is a decoration and not a medal). This award was instituted in terms of Administrator-General Government Notices 155 and 156 published in the South West Africa Official Gazette Extraordinary No 4558, dated 4 December 1981. This decoration was awarded for services of a particularly meritorious or
exemplary nature and the holder was entitled to the post nominal letters 'SOO' when awarded this decoration. The decoration came complete with an award certificate and could also be awarded posthumously.

The South West African Police Star for Merit - The South West African Police Star for Merit (this is a decoration and not a medal). This award was instituted in terms of Administrator-General Government Notices 44 - 46 published in the South West Africa Official Gazette No 5181, dated 15 March 1986. This decoration was awarded for
service of an especial meritorious nature or for 30 years exemplary service with the SWA Police Force. The decoration came complete with an award certificate and could also be awarded posthumously.

The South West African Police Star for Faithful Service - The South West African Police Star for Faithful Service. This medal was awarded for 20 years exemplary Service with the SWA Police Force. A bar to this medal denoted a further 20 years service with the SWA Police Force. This award was instituted in terms of Administrator-General Government Notices 155 and 156 published in the South West Africa Official Gazette
Extraordinary No 4558, dated 4 December 1981. The medal came complete with
an award certificate and could also be awarded posthumously.

The South West African Medal for Faithful Service - The South West African Medal for Faithful Service. This medal was awarded for 10 years exemplary service with the SWA Police Force. This award was instituted in terms of Administrator-General Government Notices 155 and 156 published in the South West Africa Official Gazette Extraordinary No 4558, dated 4 December 1981. The medal came complete with an award certificate and could also be awarded posthumously.

The Medal for the Establishment of the South West African Police Service - The Medal for the Establishment of the South West African Police Service. This medal was awarded to those members of the SWA Police Force that were in the service at the time of the establishment of the SWA Police Force on the 1 April 1981. This award was instituted in terms of Administrator-General Government Notices 155 and 156 published in the South West Africa Official Gazette Extraordinary No 4558, dated 4 December 1981. The medal came complete with an award certificate and could also be awarded
posthumously.

Prison Medalss:
- Prison Service 10 year Service
- Prison Service Loyal Service
- Prison Service Award

Medals of South West Africa Militaria Africana - Arthur Rathburn

'FOR VALOUR'

The History of the Iron Cross and Wound Badge in German South West Africa 1914 - 1918

Gordon McGregor

This book hopes to fill the much neglected area of both the German and Namibian medallic history and research namely the so called colonial Iron Crosses and Wound Badges that were awarded in the German colony of South West Africa during the 1914 - 15 war. The book will also give the reader the background and events that led to the awarding of the 'Hildegard Orden', the only official variant of the 1914 Iron Cross, in German South West Africa. Complete details and Ordering Information.

The battle at Sandfontein Casualty List, Order Of Battle, etc. imperial-research.net

Also see Namibia

	The South West African Police Star for Outstanding Service - The South West African Police Star for Outstanding Service (this is a decoration and not a medal). This award was instituted in terms of Administrator-General Government Notices 155 and 156 published in the South West Africa Official Gazette Extraordinary No 4558, dated 4 December 1981. This award was amended in terms of Administrator-General Government Notices 44 - 46 published in the South West Africa Official Gazette No 5181, dated 15 March 1986. The decoration is awarded to any member of the South West African Police who has in the performance of his functions, or while he has acted in the protection or rescue of property or lives or attempted to do so, displayed particular bravery or exceptional ingenuity, skill or perseverance or distinguished himself by the display of leadership or sense of responsibility and personal example in any division or branch of the Force and the holder of this decoration was entitled to the post nominal letters 'SOE' when awarded this decoration. The decoration came complete with an award certificate and could also be awarded posthumously.
	The South West African Police Star for Distinguished Service - The South West African Police Star for Distinguished Service (this is a decoration and not a medal). This award was instituted in terms of Administrator-General Government Notices 155 and 156 published in the South West Africa Official Gazette Extraordinary No 4558, dated 4 December 1981. This decoration was awarded for services of a particularly meritorious or exemplary nature and the holder was entitled to the post nominal letters 'SOO' when awarded this decoration. The decoration came complete with an award certificate and could also be awarded posthumously.
	The South West African Police Star for Merit - The South West African Police Star for Merit (this is a decoration and not a medal). This award was instituted in terms of Administrator-General Government Notices 44 - 46 published in the South West Africa Official Gazette No 5181, dated 15 March 1986. This decoration was awarded for service of an especial meritorious nature or for 30 years exemplary service with the SWA Police Force. The decoration came complete with an award certificate and could also be awarded posthumously.
	The South West African Police Star for Faithful Service - The South West African Police Star for Faithful Service. This medal was awarded for 20 years exemplary Service with the SWA Police Force. A bar to this medal denoted a further 20 years service with the SWA Police Force. This award was instituted in terms of Administrator-General Government Notices 155 and 156 published in the South West Africa Official Gazette Extraordinary No 4558, dated 4 December 1981. The medal came complete with an award certificate and could also be awarded posthumously.
	The South West African Medal for Faithful Service - The South West African Medal for Faithful Service. This medal was awarded for 10 years exemplary service with the SWA Police Force. This award was instituted in terms of Administrator-General Government Notices 155 and 156 published in the South West Africa Official Gazette Extraordinary No 4558, dated 4 December 1981. The medal came complete with an award certificate and could also be awarded posthumously.
	The Medal for the Establishment of the South West African Police Service - The Medal for the Establishment of the South West African Police Service. This medal was awarded to those members of the SWA Police Force that were in the service at the time of the establishment of the SWA Police Force on the 1 April 1981. This award was instituted in terms of Administrator-General Government Notices 155 and 156 published in the South West Africa Official Gazette Extraordinary No 4558, dated 4 December 1981. The medal came complete with an award certificate and could also be awarded posthumously.