Star of Military Valour

Star of Military Valour
The Star of Military Valour
Awarded by the monarch of Canada
Type	Medal
Eligibility	Any person enrolled in the Canadian Forces.
Awarded for	Distinguished and valiant service in the presence of the enemy.
Status	Currently awarded
Post-nominals	SMV
Statistics
Established	2 February 1993
First awarded	25 October 2006
Total awarded	18
Posthumous awards	1
Precedence
Next (higher)	Order of Newfoundland and Labrador
Next (lower)	Star of Courage
Ribbon of the Star of Military Valour

The Star of Military Valour (French: Étoile de la vaillance militaire) is a decoration that is, within the Canadian system of honours, the second highest award for military valour, and one of three honours for military valour gifted by the Canadian monarch, generally through his or her viceroy-in-Council. Created in 1993, the medal is presented to both living and deceased members of the Canadian Forces deemed to have demonstrated "distinguished and valiant service in the presence of the enemy," and grants recipients the ability to use the post-nominal letters SMV.

On 2 February 1993, three decorations, including the Star of Military Valour, were created by Queen Elizabeth II as a family of Canadian military valour decorations. The first awarding of the star was by Governor General Michaëlle Jean, on 27 October 2006; only with Canada's participation in the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan did there emerge, for the first time since 1993, circumstances wherein one could carry out actions deserving of the Star of Military Valour.

The Star of Military Valour is in the form of a silver-gilt compass star Celeste with a maple leaf in each angle. On the obverse is a roundel at the centre of the star, bearing a gold maple leaf on a red enamel background and surrounded by a silver laurel wreath. The reverse bears on the upper arm the Royal Cypher of the reigning monarch beneath a St. Edward's Crown—symbolizing the Canadian monarch's roles as both fount of honour and Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces—and the inscription PRO VALORE. Below this is engraved the name and rank of the recipient.