The Star of Military Valor (Étoile de la vaillance militaire in French) is a decoration established on 2 February 1993 and presented to members of the Canadian Forces for distinguished and valiant service.
Within the Canadian system of honors, the Star of Military Valor is the second highest award for military valor, and one of three honors for military valor gifted by the Canadian monarch, generally through his or her viceroy-in-Council. Recipients receive the ability to use the post-nominal letters SMV.
The Order is presented to both living and deceased members of the Canadian Forces who have demonstrated “distinguished and valiant service in the presence of the enemy“.
The Star of Military Valor Design
The Order is a gold star with four points with a maple leaf in each of the angles.
On the obverse, superimposed in the center, is a gold maple leaf on a sanguine field surrounded by a silver wreath of laurel. On the reverse is a Royal Cypher and Crown and the inscription “PRO VALORE”. Below hem is engraved the rank and name of the recipient.
The ribbon is crimson and measures 32 millimeters in width. It has two vertical white stripes 4 mm in width each. The Star is suspended by means of a plain gold link. The bar is a plain gold bar with a maple leaf in the center.
