Canada’s Victoria Cross has yet to be awarded

From the Legion Magazine.

Canada’s Victoria Cross has yet to be awarded

Story and photography by Stephen J. Thorne

The Victoria Cross is the highest recognition for military valour a soldier can receive, yet not one has been awarded since the Canadian version was created in 1993, despite a number of heroic individual actions by Canadians in Afghanistan.

Twenty members of the Canadian Armed Forces received the Star of Military Valour, the second highest Canadian award for valour, for actions during the 13-year war, all of them jaw-dropping examples of courage.

Our man in Tehran

Story by Sharon Adams

In nearly two and a half centuries, the United States has recognized outstanding civilian achievements with the Congressional Gold Medal. It is a rare honour; just over 150 have been awarded to groups or individuals since 1776. Of those, just 31 have been struck for non-American individuals, including one Canadian—diplomat Ken Taylor.