Honoris Crux Silver

The Honoris Crux Silver (HCS) was a South African military decoration that existed from 1975 to 2003. It was the third of the four classes of the Honoris Crux Decoration (see also Honoris Crux Diamond, Honoris Crux Gold, and Honoris Crux and was awarded for exceptional acts of bravery while in great danger. The decoration is made of silver. A Bar may be awarded for a further, similar, deed of bravery. The bar is of silver with a miniature replica of the Maltese Cross in silver embossed in the centre.  The recipient is entitled to the post-nominal title HCS.

The HCS decoration has been superseded by the Nkwe ya Selefera decoration.

Design
Two swords in saltire surmounted by a circular Protea wreath, all in silver; thereon a green Maltese Cross charged with a roundel tierced horizontally in orange, white and blue, witin a silver circular border. The old South African Coat of Arms appears on the reverse. The ribbon is Orange, 32mm in width with 1mm white centre stripe 13mm from each edge.
 * Obverse
 * Reverse
 * Ribbon

Recipients
denotes posthumous award.

External links and additional sources

 * Alexander, E. G. M., Barron G. K. B. and Bateman, A. J. (1986). South African Orders, Decorations and Medals.  Human and Rousseau.
 * Monick, S, (1988). South African Military Awards 1912-1987.  South African National Museum of Military History.
 * Uys, Ian. (1992). Cross of Honour.  Uys Publishers.
 * South African Medals Website