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According to National Defence soldiers have been considered for the award since the Second World War, but have been deemed not to meet the criteria.

Of the 99 medals, 39 are in the hands of the Canadian War Museum and the museum wants to ensure all of the medals stay in the country and, as much as possible, are on public view.

Eric Fernberg, collections specialist at the museum, said all of the medals were awarded to men who showed remarkable bravery.

“It has always been highly regarded as the top award, because the criteria is so high and the sacrifice is so high,” he said. “They overrode all sense of self-preservation to be able to do the things that they did speaks to the individuals.”

He said the medal was also among the first gallantry awards given out regardless of rank.

“In 1856, when Queen Victoria instituted it it was her intention that it would be for everybody. It didn’t matter if you were a general, a lieutenant colonel or a private. It was for everybody.”

Photo by Julie Oliver/Postmedia/File

Fernberg said because of the importance of the medal the museum does keep an eye open for any that come on the market. When sold, the medals now go for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.

Most are in public institutions of one kind or another, provincial museums and regimental museums. Fernberg said they know where all of the crosses are and make sure potential sellers are aware of the museum interest.