Medal of Valiancy

The Medal of Valiancy is a higher distinction intended to reward exceptional acts of bravery performed by members of the Forces of Law and Order of the Republic of Cameroon.
The Medal of Valiancy may be awarded
  • To personnel of the National Gendarmerie, Army, Air Force, Navy, National Security and auxiliary forces ;
  • Exceptionally, to any person who has performed an act of bravery during war or maintenance of law and order, irrespective of his duties or nationality.
Conditions of attribution
All Command levels must endeavour to maintain the prestige and moral value of the medal by ensuring that it is awarded judiciously and by proposing only deserving personnel who fulfil all the conditions laid down by this law.
  • On an individual basis, the persons referred to in section 74 above who, in the interests of the Republic or on the order of the Government, have performed an act of bravery or a brilliant exploit during maintenance of law and order, defence of the territory or war may be recommended,provided that such act or exploit is : individual, Specific, established.
    • On the recommendation of the Minister in charge of defence, the Minister in charge of penitentiary administration or the Delegate General for National Security, the Medal of Valiancy may be collectively awarded to a Military or Paramilitary, Police or Penitentiary Administration Unit, where almost all the members participated in the same brilliant exploit.
  • The Medal of Valiancy may also be awarded to a professional, administrative or private group, on the recommendation of the Minister in charge of territorial administration.
  • Units of the Defence Forces or the Forces of Law and Order as well as professional, administrative or private groups that fulfil the conditions provided for in section 78 above shall be recommended to the competent Ministers by immediate hierarchy of this unit or group on the occasion of the National Day. Written recommendations concerning the group shall be submitted through official channels to the Ministers for onward transmission to the Grand Chancellery of National Orders on or before the due date.
    • No date and quota shall be fixed for candidates recommended on an individual basis. The written recommendations prepared by unit commanders shall be submitted through official channels to the Ministers concerned
The citation:
The citations shall entitle the holder to wear a brooch on the Medal ribbon under the following conditions:
  • Citation in the despatches of the Nation conferring the right to wear a gilt palm-shaped brooch ;
  • Citation in the despatches of the National Forces conferring the right to wear a silver palm-shaped brooch ;
  • Citation in the despatches of the National Forces conferring the right to wear a silver palm-shaped brooch ;
Authorities authorized to assign on site
  • On the recommendation of unit commanders, the Minister in charge of defence, the Minister in charge of penitentiary administration and the Delegate General for National Security shall be authorized to immediately award the Medal of Valiancy to any serviceman, gendarme or police officer who is seriously wounded or dies in combat from injuries.
  • On the recommendation of Regional Governors or Senior Divisional officers, the Minister in charge of territorial administration shall be authorized to immediately award the Medal of Valiancy to any civil servant and any person who, during operations against the enemy, has sustained very serious injuries leading to death or put his life in danger.
    • In the 02 cases mentioned above, the file shall be submitted to the Grand Chancellery through normal official channels for regularization as soon as possible.
  • Each potential candidate or group must be the subject of a written recommendation as prescribed.
  • The detailed report of the Unit Commander shall be required for persons recommended on an individual basis.
Ceremonial Medal of Valor:
Decorations conferred on an individual basis may be awarded by the Minister in charge of defence, the Minister in charge of territorial administration, the Minister in charge of penitentiary administration, the Delegate General for National Security, Heads of Administrative Units, Chiefs of the Armed Forces General Staff, a civil servant or an officer designated by the above-mentioned authorities.
  • The ceremonial shall take place in front of the troops in the « present arms! » position.
  • In case of collective decoration of a unit, the medal shall be pinned on the emblem of the unit, on the flag, pennant or standard, or handed over to its head or legal representative.
  • The Medal of Valiancy shall be worn after the Cameroon Order of Merit and before the Medal of Merit of the Forces of Law and Order
  • The Medal of Valiancy shall be exempt from any Chancellery fees and insignia reimbursement charges.