The Sacrifice Medal was created in the context of increased casualties in
overseas operations to fulfill the desire of Canadians and the Government to
provide formal recognition, through the award of an official medal emanating
from the Crown, to those who die as a result of military service or are
wounded by hostile action. This honour replaced the Wound Stripe. The
Medal may be awarded to members of the Canadian Forces or members of
an allied force working as an integral part of the Canadian Armed
Forces—such as exchange personnel, civilian employees of the Government
of Canada or Canadian citizens under contract with the Government of
Canada—on the condition that they were deployed as part of a military
mission under the authority of the Canadian Armed Forces, that have, on or
after 7 October 2001, died or been wounded under honourable circumstances
as a direct result of hostile action on the condition that the wounds that were
sustained required treatment by a physician and the treatment has been
documented. The Medal may also be awarded posthumously to any member
of the Canadian Armed Forces who served on or after 7 October 2001 in the
Regular Force, Primary Reserve, Cadet Organizations Administration and
Training Service or Canadian Rangers, or any member of the Supplementary
Reserve who served in or with one of the components aforementioned on or
after 7 October 2001, and died under honourable circumstances as a result of
an injury or disease related to military service. When a death is obviously
related to service, the Medal will be issued immediately. When the cause of
death is not clear, the Medal will only be issued once Veterans Affairs Canada
(VAC) has officially determined that the death was related to military service.
In such a case, delays are to be expected before the Medal can be awarded.