Military Valour Decorations are national honours awarded to recognize acts of valour, self-sacrifice or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. The decorations were approved by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1993. They consist of the Victoria Cross, the Star of Military Valour and the Medal of Military Valour.

A person is eligible to be awarded a Military Valour Decoration if that person, on or after January 1, 1993, was a member of the Canadian Forces, or a member of an allied armed force that was serving with or in conjunction with the Canadian Forces. The Decorations may be awarded posthumously.

Victoria Cross (V.C.)

The Victoria Cross was created by Queen Victoria in 1856, and was awarded to Canadians in all wars until 1945. The Canadian Victoria Cross retains the same design and the same awarding criteria as the British Victoria Cross.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, unveiled the Canadian Victoria Cross at Rideau Hall on Friday, May 16, 2008, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Canada, parliamentarians, members of the Canadian Forces, veterans and other distinguished guests.

The Victoria Cross recognizes the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty, in the presence of the enemy.

The Cross is a bronze straight-armed cross pattée, 38 mm across, with raised edges.

• on the obverse is a lion guardant standing upon the Royal Crown, and below the Crown, a scroll bearing the inscription PRO VALORE, and 
• on the reverse, the date of the act for which the decoration is bestowed is engraved in a raised circle.

Star of Military Valour (S.M.V.)

The Star of Military Valour recognizes distinguished and valiant service in the presence of the enemy.

The Star is a gold star with four points with a maple leaf in each of the angles:

• on the obverse of which, superimposed in the centre, is a gold maple leaf on a sanguine field surrounded by a silver wreath of laurel, and
• on the reverse of which, the Royal Cipher (EIIR) and Crown and the inscription PRO VALORE appear, below which is engraved the rank and name of the recipient.

Medal of Military Valour (M.M.V.)

The Medal of Military Valour recognizes an act of valour or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.

The Medal is a circular gold medal:

• On the obverse of which is a maple leaf surrounded by a wreath of laurel.
• On the reverse of which appears the Royal Cipher and Crown and the inscription PRO VALORE, and on the edge of which is engraved the rank and name of the recipient.

Decorations for Bravery recognize people who risked their lives to try to save or protect another. The Decorations were created by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1972. The Governor General personally presents the Decorations in ceremonies held at Rideau Hall, in Ottawa, or at La Citadelle, in Québec City. They consist of the Cross of Valour, the Star of Courage and the Medal of Bravery.

Eligibility

Anyone is free to propose the name of someone who has risked injury or death to attempt to rescue another person. The incident need not have taken place in Canada, and the rescuer need not be Canadian, but Canadians or Canadian interests must be involved. The Decorations may be awarded posthumously.

Nominations must be made within two years of the incident, or within two years after a court or a coroner has concluded its review on the circumstances surrounding the incident or act of bravery.

Cross of Valour (C.V.)

The Cross of Valour recognizes acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril.

It is a gold cross of four equal limbs: the obverse of which is enamelled red and edged in gold with, superimposed in the centre, a gold maple leaf surrounded by a gold wreath of laurel, and on the reverse of which the Royal Cipher (EIIR) and Crown and the inscription VALOUR . VAILLANCE appear

Star of Courage (S.C.)

The Star of Courage recognizes acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril.

It is a silver star of four points with a maple leaf in each of the four angles: on the obverse of which, superimposed in the centre, is a gold maple leaf surrounded by a gold wreath of laurel, and on the reverse of which, the Royal Cipher and Crown and the inscription COURAGE appear

Medal of Bravery (M.B.)

The Medal recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.

It is a circular silver medal: on the obverse of which is a maple leaf surrounded by a wreath of laurel, and on the reverse of which appear the Royal Cipher and Crown and the inscription BRAVERY.BRAVOURE

Eligibility and Nominations

Decorations for Bravery recognize people who risked their lives to try to save or protect another. From entering burning buildings to calming gunmen to plunging into icy waters, the recipients put their lives on the line to help another person.

Saving a life is not, in itself, the most important consideration in being nominated for a Decoration. Often, rescuers are not exposed to any danger and, despite the value and importance of their actions, they do not qualify for a Decoration for Bravery. However, they may qualify for a special commendation by the Governor General.

The degree of risk faced and persistence despite the risk are important in the evaluation. In addition, perception of risk is a factor – people who try to help, even though they know they might be severely injured or killed, display bravery of a very high order.

Any person or group is welcome to nominate a deserving individual as candidate for a Decoration for Bravery, by completing a nomination form. Nomination forms are also available from the Chancellery, Rideau Hall, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A1.

The Chancellery of Honours keeps all nominations confidential to respect privacy and to avoid disappointment if the nominee is not selected. We ask that nominators and others involved respect this policy.

Nominations must be made within two years of the incident, or within two years after a court or a coroner has concluded its review on the circumstances surrounding the incident or act of bravery.

The Police Services investigate eligible cases to ensure that information is accurate. For military acts of bravery, the Canadian Forces provide full documentation regarding the incidents. Nominations are received by the Chancellery for review by an independent advisory committee.

Advisory Committee

The Canadian Decorations Advisory Committee reviews nominations and recommends appointments to the Governor General. The Advisory Committee is made up of representatives of the Clerk of the Privy Council, the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Deputy Ministers of Canadian Heritage, the Department of National Defence and Transport Canada, as well as up to four others appointed by the Governor General.

Acts of Bravery

Julius Richard Rosenberg was only five years old when he rescued his sister from a black bear attack on September 20, 1992, at West Hawk Lake, Manitoba. He was awarded a Medal of Bravery.

David Downing was 82 years old when he saved a five-year-old girl from being hit by a car that had collided with a tractor-trailer at a busy Vancouver intersection. He pulled the child out of the way to protect her from the impact, and was hit by the car and thrown against a steel pole. He was awarded a Medal of Bravery.

The Meritorious Service Decorations were created by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1984 to recognize individuals whose specific deeds or activities over a limited period of time (from 5 minutes to 5 years) have:

• demonstrated an outstanding level of service; or
• set an exemplary standard of achievement; and
• brought honour or benefit to Canada

This accomplishment must have taken place after June 11, 1984.

Meritorious Service Cross — Military Division (M.S.C.)

The Military Division Cross recognizes a military deed or activity that has been performed in an outstandingly professional manner, according to a rare high standard that brings considerable benefit or great honour to the Canadian Forces.

It is a silver Greek cross, ends splayed and convex, bearing the Royal Crown: on one side appears a maple leaf within a circle and a laurel wreath between the arms, and on the other appears the Royal Cipher, EIIR, and within a double circle the inscription MERITORIOUS SERVICE MÉRITOIRE

Meritorious Service Cross — Civil Division (M.S.C.)

The Civil Division Cross recognizes a deed or an activity that has been performed in an outstandingly professional manner, or with uncommonly high standards; the activity is often innovative, sets an example for others to follow, improves the quality of life of a community and brings considerable benefit or honour to Canada.

It is a silver Greek cross, ends splayed and convexed, bearing the Royal Crown: on one side appears a maple leaf within a circle and a laurel wreath between the arms, and on the other appears the Royal Cipher, EIIR, and within a double circle the inscription MERITORIOUS SERVICE MÉRITOIRE

Meritorious Service Medal — Military Division (M.S.M.)

The Military Division Medal recognizes a military deed or activity performed in a highly professional manner, according to a very high standard that brings benefit or honour to the Canadian Forces

It is a circular silver medal bearing the Royal Crown: on one side of which appears the design of the Cross, and on the other appears the Royal Cipher, EIIR, and within a double circle the inscription MERITORIOUS SERVICE MÉRITOIRE

Meritorious Service Medal — Civil Division (M.S.M.)

The Civil Division recognizes a deed or an activity that has been performed in a highly professional manner, or according to a very high standard: often innovative, this deed or activity sets an example for others to follow, improves the quality of life of a community and brings benefit or honour to Canada.

It is a circular silver medal bearing the Royal Crown: on one side of which appears the design of the Cross, and on the other appears the Royal Cipher, EIIR, and within a double circle the inscription MERITORIOUS SERVICE MÉRITOIRE

Eligibility and Nominations

Nomination Form (PDF)

Anyone may nominate an individual for the civil division of the Meritorious Service Decorations. With respect to the military division, a commanding officer nominates potential candidates in the military, referring them to a military Advisory Committee which reviews nominations and submits names to the Chief of the Defence Staff.

The Chancellery of Honours keeps all nominations confidential to respect privacy and to avoid disappointment if the nominee is not selected. We ask that nominators and others involved respect this policy.

Separate Advisory Committees review military and civilian nominations and submit recommendations of eligible nominees to the Governor General for approval.

Meritorious Service Decorations are awarded to individuals who have, for example:

• raised awareness of worthwhile causes and little-known diseases;
• prevented violence towards women and children;
• restored the safety and health of others in war-torn countries; or
• initiated a project that benefited people in the community.