It was awarded to officers of the South African Defence Force for distinguished conduct and exceptional leadership during combat operations in the field.

[1][3][5] The decoration could be awarded to officers of the South African Defence Force for distinguished conduct and exceptional leadership during combat operations in the field.

[1][3][5] The position of the Pro Virtute Decoration in the official order of precedence was revised three times after 1975, to accommodate the inclusion or institution of new decorations and medals, first with the integration into the South African National Defence Force on 27 April 1994, again in April 1996 when decorations and medals were belatedly instituted for the two former non-statutory forces, the Azanian People's Liberation Army and Umkhonto we Sizwe, and finally with the institution of a new set of awards on 27 April 2003.

The Pro Virtute Decoration is a 9 carat gold five-armed Maltese cross, with one arm pointing down, which fits in a circle 45 millimetres in diameter.

This engagement has been described as one of the hardest-fought actions which the South African military have ever experienced, during which two officers displayed exceptional combat leadership to defeat a well-armed force, estimated at between 4,000 and 7,000, with only 200 men.