Atlantic Star 1939-45 is a Campaign Medal Issued to British and Commonwealth Forces in WW2.
Description
The Atlantic Star is a six-pointed yellow copper-zinc alloy star with a height of 44mm and a maximum width of 38mm.
The obverse has a central design of the Royal Cypher of King George VI, surmounted by a crown. The cipher is surrounded by a circle containing the words The Atlantic Star’.
The reverse is plain, although Stars issued to Australian and South African personnel have recipient names impressed.
The ribbon for this medal, along with those of the other Second World War campaign stars, is reputed to have been designed by King George VI. The shaded and watered blue, white, and sea-green stripes represent the colours of the Atlantic Ocean. It was awarded to
History
The Atlantic Star is a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth that was awarded for service in World War II.
The star was awarded for six months service afloat, in the Atlantic or in Home Waters, within the period 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945. It was also awarded to aircrew who had taken part in operations against the enemy at sea within the qualifying areas, and to Naval personnel, subject to two months service in an operational unit. The 1939-1945 Star must have been earned before commencing qualifying service for the Atlantic Star.
Merchant seaman also qualified for the medal. They were required to have served in the Atlantic, home waters, North Russia Convoys or the South Atlantic.
The star was immediately awarded if the service period was terminated by death, disability or wounding. The award of a gallantry medal or a Mention in Dispatches also led to an immediate award.
