The Memorial Cross, often known as the Silver Cross for Mothers, is a Canadian decoration awarded to the mother, widow, widower, or next of kin of any member of the Canadian Armed Forces whose life is lost on active service, including peacekeeping, other such international operations and, since 2001, other service-related deaths.

Captain Nichola Kathleen Sarah Goddard, MSM was the first Canadian woman to be killed in action since World War II, the first female Canadian Armed Forces member killed during combat duty, and the first Canadian female combat soldier to be killed on the front lines. She was also the 16th Canadian soldier killed in Canadian operations in Afghanistan.