The Cross of Valour (CV) is a Canadian decoration and part of the Canadian system of honors. It’s the second highest award, surpassed only by the Victoria Cross and the highest honor available for Canadian civilians. The Cross of Valour was created in 1 May 1972 and recognizes acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril.
Both Canadians and foreigners, living and deceased can be awarded the medal and receive the ability to use the post-nominal letters CV.
The Cross of Valour Design
The medal is a cross with four equal limbs. It’s rendered in gold, with the obverse enameled in red and edged with gold.
On the center obverse is a gold maple leaf surrounded by a gold laurel wreath. On the reverse is the Royal Cypher of the reigning Canadian sovereign and a crown above. The words VALOUR • VAILLANCE are etched below, extending along the upper edge of the two lateral arms of the cross. The recipient’s name and the date of the incident are engraved underneath the motto.
This medallion is worn suspended from a red ribbon around the neck (for men) and below the left shoulder suspended from a red ribbon fashioned into a bow (for women). A miniature cross may be worn on the ribbon bar in undress.
The ribbon is light crimson and measures 38 mm in width.
