Created in 1972, it is presented to both living and deceased individuals deemed to have performed "acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril".

[2] Recipients are allowed to use post-nominal letters – for Anglophones SC, and for Francophones ÉC.

On the obverse is a gold roundel at the centre of the star, bearing a maple leaf surrounded by a laurel wreath.

[2] This medallion is worn on the left chest, on a 38 millimetres (1.5 in) wide ribbon coloured red with two vertical blue stripes: for men, hung from a bar, and for women, on a ribbon bow, both pinned to the left chest.

[2] On 1 May 1972, Queen Elizabeth II, on the advice of her Cabinet under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, created the Star of Courage to recognize acts of great bravery.