The Union of South Africa Queen's Medal for Bravery, Gold was the highest South African civilian decoration during the period from 1952 to 1961, while the country was still a constitutional monarchy in the British Commonwealth.

[1][2] The Union of South Africa Queen's Medal for Bravery, Gold, the senior of two classes of South Africa's highest civilian decoration for bravery, was instituted by Royal Warrant of 15 December 1952, published in Government Gazette no.

[1][2] The earlier King's Medal for Bravery, Gold was awarded to recognise acts of gallantry performed in the face of imminent and obvious peril by those residents of the Union of South Africa or its dependent territories who endangered their lives in the act of saving, or endeavouring to save, the lives of others.

It is preceded by the Venerable Order of Saint John and succeeded by the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

[3] In South Africa, the medal is ranked as a first level decoration and, despite its status, it has no post-nominal letters.