History

The Star of Military Valour was introduced on January 1, 1993, and it is the second highest award for military valour in the Canadian Honours System. The Star is conferred upon members of the Canadian Armed Forces in recognition of bravery in the face of the enemy performed on or after January 1, 1993.

The decoration can also be conferred upon members of allied forces who served with the Canadian Forces and demonstrated outstanding bravery in the face of the enemy on or after June 1st.

Subsequent conferrals of the Star are awarded in the form of a gold bar that features a maple leaf in the centre of the obverse.

English-speaking recipients are entitled to use the post-nominals “SMV” and French recipients are entitled to use the post-nominals “EVM".