List of medals for bravery


This list of medals for bravery is an index to articles about notable medals awarded for bravery or valor.
These medals, usually associated with military forces, police forces, or other public safety entities, are given to personnel who have served with gallantry, often for those who have engaged in specific acts of bravery or valor.

Bravery Medal

As a formal name in English, "Bravery Medal" may refer to:
Several English-speaking nations have a medal called the "Medal of Bravery" or the "Medal of Valor", including Canada and Tanzania. The three Canadian Bravery Decorations were created in 1972, to recognize people who risked their lives to try to save or protect the lives of others: the Cross of Valour recognizes acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril; the Star of Courage recognizes acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril; and the Medal of Bravery recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances. Non-English speaking nations which have or had a medal usually translated into English as "Bravery Medal" or "Medal of Bravery" include:
There are a number of other decorations of various countries which are customarily translated into English using other synonyms for bravery, but are occasionally translated as "bravery". These include the Soviet Medal "for Valor" and the Israeli Medal of Valor. Medals specifically including "valor" include:
CountryAwardDescription
United States9/11 Heroes Medal of ValorAwarded by the government of the United States, created specifically to honor the public safety officers who were killed in the line of duty during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and The Pentagon
GermanyBundeswehr Cross of Honour for ValourThe highest class of the Bundeswehr Cross of Honour awarded for "...an act of gallantry in the face of exceptional danger to life and limb whilst demonstrating staying power and serenity in order to fulfil the military mission in an ethically sound way."
United StatesFBI Medal of ValorPresented by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in recognition of an exceptional act of heroism or voluntary risk of personal safety and life
ItalyGold Medal of Military ValourEstablished on 21 May 1793 by King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia
United StatesLos Angeles Police Medal of ValorThe highest law enforcement medal given by the Los Angeles Police Department
United StatesMaryland Medal for ValorAwarded to members of the Maryland National Guard in recognition of acts of personal heroism
CanadaMedal of Military ValourCanada's third highest award for military valor
United StatesMedal of Valor A decoration that may be awarded to a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force
IsraelMedal of ValorAn Israeli Military decoration
United StatesNew York City Police Department Medal for ValorConferred upon New York City police officers for acts of outstanding personal bravery
PhilippinesPhilippine Medal of ValorThe highest military award given by the Armed Forces of the Philippines
SingaporePingat KeberanianSingaporean Medal of Valor, awarded for an act of courage and gallantry in circumstances of personal danger
United StatesPublic Safety Officer Medal of ValorAwarded to American police officers, firefighters and other emergency services personnel by the United States Department of Justice
ItalySilver Medal of Military ValorAn Italian medal established in 1833 by King Charles Albert of Sardinia
United StatesTexas Medal of ValorAwarded to members of the state military forces by the Governor of Texas for acts of personal heroism
SomaliaMedal of Valour Awarded to individuals of the Somali military