Valour Cross

• Name — Valour Cross Tapperhedskorset • Presenter — the Monarch of Denmark • Eligibility — Persons of any rank in the armed forces • Awarded For — Outstanding acts of courage in combat • Status — Currently awarded • Description — Silver cross pattée with a gilded edge with gold medallion with monogram and 2010 superimposed • Motto — For Tapperhed (in Danish); For Bravery (in English) • Post Nominals — T.K. • Established — 14 November 2011 • Firstawarded — 18 November 2011 • Total Awarded — 1 • Higher — None • Lower — Defence Medal for Bravery • Caption2 — Ribbon bar of the Valour Cross

The Valour Cross is presented for extraordinary courage occurring during combat, where the soldier acted altruistically in an obviously dangerous situation. Efforts are aimed at promoting the solution of an important task or to save the lives of others. The Valour Cross is the highest Danish military decoration; it is comparable to the British Victoria Cross or the United States' Medal of Honor.

Since the creation of the Valour Cross, there has been only one recipient of the decoration. This first recipient is Sergeant Casper Westphalen Mathiesen of the Engineer Regiment, based in Skive, Denmark. On 19 February 2010, while deployed to Afghanistan with ISAF, Sergeant Mathiesen risked his own life and well being to defend a wounded comrade during a firefight. His bravery under fire is credited with holding off the enemy and allowing his comrade to receive medical assistance. • Name — Rank — Unit — Operation — Date of award — Reason awarded — Ref References • Casper Westphalen Mathiesen (born 1985) — Sergeant — Engineer Regiment — ISAF — 18 November 2011 — On 19 February 2010, during fighting, unhesitatingly and clearly recognising the risk of his own life and limb, provided cover for a wounded comrade by standing between him and the enemy. He maintained this very vulnerable position and fired on the enemy so that additional help could arrive.