It rewards acts of "heroism in combat" or those "deeds aimed at saving other human lives or substantial material values" which put the recipient at significant risk of death.

[1] It is unique amongst current Czech decorations in that it has only a single grade or class.

Suspended from this ribbon is a silver medal, bearing the Greater Coat of Arms of the Czech Republic on one side, and a symbol representing heroism (double-tailed lion) on the other with an inscription "za hrdinství" ("of/for heroism").

[2] However, the distinction was only awarded once prior to its reauthorization by the Czech Republic in 1992.

[3] There are additional recipients after 1992, most notably during the events of the 2014 Bagram Airfield bombing, after which 5 Czech soldiers were posthumously awarded the medal for their actions in support of the war in Afghanistan.