Southern Cross of Honor The Southern Cross of Honor is the name of two separate and distinct military honors presented to Confederate military personnel and veterans . The original wartime medal , " aka Confederate Medal of Honor " , was a military decoration meant to honor officers , noncommissioned officers , and privates for their valor in the armed forces of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War . It was formally approved by the Congress of the Confederate States on October 13 , 1862 , and was originally intended to be on par with the Union Army ' s Medal of Honor . During the war , however , there were shortages of metals , and many medals were not minted or awarded . The names of these soldiers were , however , recorded in an Honor Roll and preserved in the Adjutant Inspector General ' s records . The postwar version of the medal , which is a separate award than the original wartime medal , came into being following a reunion in 1898 . The idea of bestowing the Southern Cross of Honor to Confederate veterans of the American Civil War was conceived in Atlanta in July 1898 by Mrs . Alexander S . ( Mary Ann Lamar Cobb ) Erwin of Athens , GA , at a reunion of Confederate veterans . Mrs . Erwin and Mrs . Sarah E . Gabbett of Atlanta are credited with the design of the medal . The medal was at this point authorized by the UDC to be awarded to any Confederate Veteran who had provided " loyal , honorable service to the South and given in recognition of this devotion . " A metal cross pattée with the representation of a Confederate battle flag placed on the center thereof surrounded by a wreath , with the inscription " The Southern Cross of Honor . " On the back of the medal is the motto of the Confederate States of America , " Deo Vindice " ( [ With ] God [ As Our ] Vindicator ) , the dates 1861 1865 , and the inscription , " From the UDC to the UCV . " ( UDC stands for the United Daughters of the Confederacy ; UCV stands for the United Confederate Veterans . ) The Southern Cross of Honor could only be bestowed through the United Daughters of the Confederacy . It could not be purchased ; it was given in recognition of loyal , honorable service to the South and only a Confederate veteran could wear it . The first Cross ever bestowed was upon Mrs . Erwin ’ s husband , Captain Alexander S . Erwin , by the Athens ( Ga . ) Chapter on April 26 , 1900 . Although no Civil War veterans are still living , the last verified Confederate veteran dying in 1951 , Virginia Code section 18 . 2 - 176 ( b ) remains in effect and makes it a Class 3 misdemeanor , punishable by a fine of not more than $ 500 , to " wear any Southern Cross of Honor when not entitled to do so by the regulations under which such Crosses of Honor are given . " Grave markers . The Southern Cross of Honor is also used as a symbol on the graves of Confederate veterans who served honorably . It can take two different forms which can sometimes both be seen on the same soldier ' s grave . One form is an outline of the Southern Cross engraved on the actual gravestone of the veteran . This symbol is still available to be placed as an optional symbol of belief on a U . S . Veterans Administration issued gravestone . This symbol will only be issued by the V . A . to be placed on the grave of a Confederate Veteran . The symbol is also available to be placed on existing gravestones by some private monument companies and stone carvers . The second form of the Southern Cross of Honor seen on Confederate graves is a two - sided , cast iron replica of the medal . This cross stands atop a metal rod placed into the ground at the veteran ' s grave . It is sometimes referred to as the " Iron Cross of Honor " or " SCV Iron Cross " . The cross is typically placed on Confederate graves by local chapters of the Sons of Confederate Veterans or by family members or interested parties related to the Confederate Veteran . The iron cross version of the SCH is available for purchase through several SCV chapters as well as several private foundries throughout the United States . The grave of any Confederate Veteran who served honorably is eligible for placement of this symbol .