| Star of South Africa, Silver | |
| Presenter: | the State President and, from 1994, the President |
| Country: |  South Africa |
| Type: | Military decoration for merit |
| Eligibility: | General and flag officers |
| Awarded For: | Exceptionally meritorious service of major military significance |
| Status: | Discontinued in 2002 |
| Post-Nominals: | SSAS |
| Established: | 1975 |
| Precedence Label: | SADF pre-1994 & SANDF post-2002 orders of wear |
| Higher: | |
| Same: | Star of South Africa, Grand Officer |
| Lower: |
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The Star of South Africa, Silver, post-nominal letters SSAS, was the second level decoration of two military and five non-military classes of the Order of the Star of South Africa, which was instituted by the Republic of South Africa on 1 July 1975. It was awarded to general and flag officers of the South African Defence Force for exceptionally meritorious service of major military significance. The Order of the Star of South Africa was discontinued in 2002.[1]
The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994, it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
The Star of South Africa, Silver, post-nominal letters SSAS, was instituted by the State President on 1 July 1975, as the junior decoration of two military classes of the Order of the Star of South Africa. The order was named after the first large diamond to be found in South Africa, the Star of South Africa, which was found on the banks of the Orange River in 1869 and which sparked the New Rush, leading to the establishment of Kimberley.[2]
The Order of the Star of South Africa was expanded on 17 October 1978, when a non-military division, with decorations in five classes, was instituted for conferment on civilians and, from 1988, on senior police, prisons service and intelligence service officers, as well as foreign military attachés. The second of these five non-military decorations, the Star of South Africa, Grand Officer, ranks on par with the Star of South Africa, Silver.[1]
The Star of South Africa, Silver was awarded to general and flag officers for exceptionally meritorious service of major military significance.[2]
The position of the Star of South Africa, Silver in the official order of precedence was revised twice after 1975, to accommodate the inclusion or institution of new decorations and medals, upon the integration into the South African National Defence Force in 1994 and again with the institution of a new set of awards in 2003.
The position of the Star of South Africa, Silver in the order of precedence remained unchanged, as it was on 27 April 1994, when a new series of military orders, decorations and medals was instituted on 27 April 2003.[8]
Conferment of the decoration was discontinued on 6 December 2002, when a new set of national orders was instituted.[2]