1939–1945 Star

1939–1945 Star
Medal created and awarded by the British Government in 1943, image created by Co · Public domain · source
Name	1939–1945 Star
Presented by	United Kingdom
Type	Military campaign medal
Awarded for	Operational service during World War II
Established	1943

1939–1945 Star The 1939–1945 Star is a British Commonwealth campaign medal instituted during World War II to recognize operational service across multiple theaters including the Western Front, Battle of Britain, North African campaign, and Pacific War. Instituted by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence in 1943, the award formed part of a system of campaign stars issued alongside the Defence Medal (United Kingdom), War Medal 1939–1945, and other Commonwealth decorations used by forces from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and colonial units. Criteria for the medal intersect with service in operations contemporaneous with the Battle of the Atlantic, Operation Torch, Operation Overlord, and actions involving the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and British Army.

Background and Eligibility

The medal was created by Winston Churchill's wartime administration following recommendations from the Committee on Awards and Distinctions, reflecting lessons from campaigns such as the Battle of France, Siege of Malta, Norwegian Campaign, and East African Campaign. Eligibility required operational service in zones connected to the Mediterranean and Middle East theatre, Far East theatre, and the Second Battle of El Alamein, with time-in-theatre qualifications overlapping with criteria applied to the Air Crew Europe Star, Africa Star, and Pacific Star. Personnel from formations including the Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm, Merchant Navy (United Kingdom), Indian Army, Canadian Army, Royal Australian Air Force, and New Zealand Expeditionary Force qualified under set periods tied to engagements such as Operation Husky, Battle of Crete, Siege of Tobruk, and the Burma Campaign. The award excluded postwar campaigns governed by the Geneva Conventions updates and later Order of Wear (United Kingdom) revisions.

Campaigns and Clasps

Clasp devices and entitlement aligned with specific operations: recipients who met criteria for the Battle of Britain received recognition via clasps similar to those used on the Atlantic Star and Italy Star. The medal’s relationship to campaigns like Operation Market Garden, Battle of the Atlantic, Ardennes Offensive, and Operation Dragoon determined precedence alongside stars like the France and Germany Star and Burma Star. Units engaged in combined operations with the Special Air Service, Royal Marines, Chindits, Long Range Desert Group, and Gurkha regiments often qualified for multiple stars and clasps reflecting service in Sicily, Anzio, Salerno, and Normandy landings. Admiralty lists and Air Ministry records from operations such as Operation Pedestal and Battle of the Mediterranean guided clasp issuance.

Design and Manufacture

The medal’s obverse bore the Royal Cypher and crown associated with King George VI, as used on contemporaneous awards like the George Medal and King's Commendation. Produced by mints and manufacturers including the Royal Mint and contracted firms in Birmingham, the star-shaped design mirrored the visual language of the Africa Star and Italy Star, while ribbon colors referenced theatres found in decorations such as the Pacific Star. Manufacturing standards referenced wartime material allocations overseen by Ministry of Supply (United Kingdom) directives and inspected by officials appointed under the Ministry of Labour and National Service. The reverse inscription style paralleled medals issued under the Honours Committee guidance, and medals were impressed with recipient details using practices standardized by the Army Council.

Awarding and Distribution

Awards were issued through service personnel records held by the Admiralty, Air Ministry, and War Office, with distribution coordinated via regional headquarters such as Middle East Command, South East Asia Command, Home Command (United Kingdom), and dominant Commonwealth administrative bodies like the Department of National Defence (Canada). Nomination and entitlement checks referenced campaign diaries from units like the 3rd Infantry Division (United Kingdom), 8th Army (United Kingdom), 14th Army (United Kingdom), and naval logs from ships including HMS Ark Royal, HMS Prince of Wales, and HMS Belfast. The medal formed part of veterans’ entitlement files managed by organizations including the Imperial War Graves Commission and later archives on display at institutions such as the Imperial War Museum and National Archives (United Kingdom).

Notable Recipients and Units

Recipients included participants from prominent commands and figures associated with campaigns across theaters: personnel serving under commanders like Bernard Montgomery, Charles de Gaulle, Douglas Bader, William Slim, Erwin Rommel’s opponents, and leaders such as Admiral of the Fleet Andrew Cunningham. Units and formations whose members commonly received the medal included the Royal Tank Regiment, Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom), Royal Fusiliers, HMS Warspite crews, No. 617 Squadron RAF, No. 303 Squadron RAF, 2nd New Zealand Division, 1st Canadian Division, 6th Australian Division, East African Brigade, and West African Frontier Force contingents. Distinguished servicemen and women from the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, Women's Royal Naval Service, and Auxiliary Territorial Service who met operational conditions were among recipients recognized alongside decorated individuals from events such as the Dunkirk evacuation, Dieppe Raid, and Singapore surrender survivors.

Category:British campaign medals