Military awards and decorations are distinctions given as a mark of honor for military heroism, meritorious or outstanding service or achievement. A decoration is often a medal consisting of a ribbon and a medallion.
Annette O'Toole is an American actress, singer, and songwriter. She is known for portraying Lisa Bridges in the television series Nash Bridges, adult Beverly Marsh in the 1990 television mini-series adaptation of Stephen King's epic horror novel It, Lana Lang in Superman III, Kathy in the romantic-comedy film Cross My Heart, and Martha Kent on the television series Smallville.
The Cross of Valour was established in 1975 as the highest Australian Bravery Award. The awards were established as part of the institution of the Australian Honours System. The Cross of Valour has been awarded to five Australian civilians and, although there has been no Australian military recipient, they would be eligible in situations where normal honours to the military do not apply.
Frederick George Topham, VC was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Keith Pierce is a technician in the Canadian Armed Forces search-and-rescue. He received the Cross of Valour, the highest Canadian award for acts of courage in circumstances of extreme peril, on September 18, 1998, along with Sergeant Keith Paul Mitchell.
Sergeant Keith Paul Mitchell, CV, MMM, MSM, CD, a Search and Rescue technician with 413 Search and Rescue Squadron in the Canadian Forces, received the Cross of Valour, the highest Canadian award for acts of courage in circumstances of extreme peril, on September 18, 1998, along with Master Corporal Bryan Keith Pierce.
The orders, decorations, and medals of Canada comprise a complex system by which Canadians are honoured by the country's sovereign for actions or deeds that benefit their community or the country at large. Modelled on its British predecessor, the structure originated in the 1930s, but began to come to full fruition at the time of Canada's centennial in 1967, with the establishment of the Order of Canada, and has since grown in both size and scope to include dynastic and national orders, state, civil, and military decorations; and various campaign medals. The monarch in right of each Canadian province also issues distinct orders and medals to honour residents for work performed in just their province. The provincial honours, as with some of their national counterparts, grant the use of post-nominal letters and or supporters and other devices to be used on personal coats of arms.
Robert Gordon Teather CV (1947–2004) was a 28-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (R.C.M.P.) who was awarded the Cross of Valour, Canada's highest award for bravery, for a rescue he performed in 1981.
David Gordon Cheverie CV, SC is a Canadian recipient of the Cross of Valour, the highest Canadian award for bravery. It is the highest honour available for Canadian civilians. He demonstrated unwavering courage of the highest order by repeatedly risking his life to save three children from a house fire on the night of May 16, 1987, while a member of the Charlottetown Police Department. The award was presented on August 19, 1988.
The Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (PWV) is Sri Lanka's highest military decoration, awarded for acts of exceptional valour in wartime. Parama Weera Vibhushanaya translates as the "Order of the Supreme Valour", and the award is granted for "individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of the most exceptional order in the face of the enemy". Corporal Gamini Kularatne, was the first recipient. As of January 2021, the medal has been awarded 31 times, of which all were posthumous and arose from actions in the Sri Lankan Civil War. Of the 31 awardees, 28 have been from the Sri Lanka Army, two have been from the Sri Lanka Navy and one has been from the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The Cross of Valour may refer to one of a number of decorations:
The Victoria Cross for Australia is the highest award in the Australian honours system, superseding the British Victoria Cross for issue to Australians. The Victoria Cross for Australia is the "decoration for according recognition to persons who in the presence of the enemy, perform acts of the most conspicuous gallantry, or daring or pre-eminent acts of valour or self-sacrifice or display extreme devotion to duty".
The Cross of Valour is a decoration that is, within the Canadian system of honours, the second-highest award, the highest honour available for Canadian civilians, and the highest of the three Canadian Bravery Decorations. Created in 1972, it is presented to individuals, both Canadian and foreign, living and deceased, who have performed acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril. Recipients are allowed to use the post-nominal letters CV.
Timothy Ian Britten is a senior sergeant in the Western Australia Police. He is one of the five recipients of the Cross of Valour, Australia's highest civilian bravery decoration. He was awarded the Cross of Valour for his actions in the immediate aftermath of the 2002 Bali bombings.
Jean Swedberg CV of Merritt, British Columbia, was posthumously awarded the Cross of Valour, Canada's highest decoration for civilian bravery on May 17, 1976. Mrs. Swedberg lost her life while trying to alert guests that a fire had broken out in the hotel she worked at in Merritt, British Columbia.
Lester Robert Fudge CV of Burin, Newfoundland and Labrador, was awarded the Cross of Valour, Canada's highest decoration for civilian bravery on April 6, 1981. Mr. Fudge was involved in the rescue of twelve crewmen trapped aboard a Danish trawler caught in strong seas.
Harold Gilbert Miller CV MB of Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, was awarded the Cross of Valour, Canada's highest civilian decoration for bravery on April 6, 1981, for his actions involving the rescue of 12 crewman aboard a Danish trawler in rough seas. Mr. Miller was also awarded a Medal of Bravery, Canada's third highest decoration for civilian bravery in a separate incident on June 26, 1989 for the water rescue of a crewman who was about to drown after falling overboard while at sea.
Martin Sceviour CV of Burgoyne's Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador, was awarded Canada's highest decoration for bravery on April 6, 1981 for his efforts in the rescue of twelve crewman aboard the Danish trawler Remoy while caught out in rough seas.
John Wendell MacLean CV from Inverness, Nova Scotia, was posthumously awarded the Cross of Valour, Canada's highest civilian decoration for bravery on October 30, 1992 while attempting to rescue family members from a burning house trailer in Inverness County, Nova Scotia.
First Officer Leslie Arthur Palmer CV of Prince Rupert, British Columbia was awarded the Cross of Valour, Canada's highest civilian decoration for bravery on May 4, 2006, for his efforts in rescuing two fishermen stranded on the shores of the Grenville Channel during a severe storm, near Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
