- Time Period: Post-WW2
- Year of Institution: 1982
- Country: Great Britain
The South Atlantic Medal is a British campaign medal awarded to British civilians as well as military personnel for service in the Falklands War of 1982. Over 33,000 medals have been awarded. The South Atlantic Medal Association was formed in 1997 for recipients of the South Atlantic Medal.
Initially, about 29,700 people were awarded the South Atlantic medal, including Prince Andrew. Civil servants serving in Accession Island, NAAFI staff, war artist Linda Kitson and journalists attached to the armed forces, including Michael Nicholson, have also received this medal.
Since 2014 an additional 3,626 South Atlantic medals have been awarded without rosette, in response to the extension of the qualifying period to 21 October 1982.
The South Atlantic Medal Design
The South Atlantic Medal is made of cupronickel, and measures 36 mm in diameter. It was struck by the Royal Mint and issued by the Army Medal Office, Droitwich. The design, attributed to HM the Queen, was based on the ribbon for the 1939-45 Atlantic Star.
The obverse shows a crowned effigy of The Queen facing right, with the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID:DEF (“Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith”). The reverse displays the Falkland Islands’ coat of arms, bearing the words “DESIRE THE RIGHT” (an allusion to English explorer John Davis’ ship, “Desire”). The border is made up of a laurel wreath below and the words “SOUTH ATLANTIC MEDAL” above.
The initials and surname, rank or rating, service number and unit of the recipient are diamond engraved on the edge of the medal, but the Royal Navy officers (as was the tradition) don’t include the service number.
The 32 mm ribbon has a central stripe of “sea green” flanked on each side by stripes of white and “empire blue” symbolizing the Atlantic Ocean.
