Recipients of the Decorations of Bravery would never call themselves heroes, but that’s exactly what they are: everyday heroes. The individuals recognized by these decorations are those who have risked their lives and chose to defy their own instinct of survival to try to save a loved one or a perfect stranger whose life was in immediate danger.

Whether the incident happened in Canada or abroad, if Canadians or Canadian interests were at stake, the hero you know can be nominated. Nominations must be made within two years of the incident and decorations may be awarded posthumously.