- Time Period: World War II
- Institution: May 1945
- Country: Great Britain, Australia
The Atlantic Star is a military campaign medal, instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945 for award to subjects of the British Commonwealth for service in the Second World War. It was awarded specifically to those who took part in the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest continuous campaign of the war, which took place between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945, as German U-boats attacked convoys transporting vital supplies from America and the Colonies to Britain.
The Atlantic Star was intended primarily for award to those who served in shipping convoys and their escorts and anti-submarine forces, as well as to those who served on fast merchant ships which sailed alone.
The Atlantic Star Design
British uniform regulations stipulated that no one person could be awarded more than one clasp to any one campaign star. The set of nine campaign stars was designed by the Royal Mint engravers.
They are six–pointed stars, struck in yellow copper zinc alloy to fit into a 44 millimetres diameter circle. The obverse has a central design of the Royal Cypher “GRI VI”, surmounted by a crown and the inscription “THE ATLANTIC STAR”. The reverse is plain and, as with the other Second World War campaign medals, a no-engraving policy was applied.
Find This Campaign Medal
More WW2 British Campaign Medals
During World War II (1939–1945) British campaign medals were awarded to members of the British Armed Forces and civilians for active service in specific military campaigns or operations. These included:
The 1939-1945 Star
The 1939–1945 Star is a military campaign medal instituted by the United Kingdom on 8 July 1943 for operational service overseas.
The Italy Star
The Italy Star is a military campaign medal, instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945 for service in the Italian Campaign 1943 to 1945.
The Southern Rhodesia Service Medal
The Southern Rhodesia Service Medal 1939-1945 is a campaign medal awarded to members of the Southern Rhodesia Defence Forces for home service.
The War Medal 1939-1945
The War Medal 1939–1945 is a British campaign medal instituted by the United Kingdom on 16 August 1945. The medal was awarded to subjects of the British Commonwealth who had served full-time.
The India Service Medal
The India Service Medal – 1939-1945 is a Commonwealth campaign medal awarded to Indian Forces for three years service in India in WW2.
The Australian Service Medal 1939-1945
The Australia Service Medal 1939–1945 is a military medal (Great Britain, Australia) that recognizes service in Australia’s armed forces, Mercantile Marine, and Volunteer Defence Corps during World War II.
The New Zealand War Service Medal
The New Zealand War Service Medal (NZWSM) was awarded to members of the New Zealand armed forces and Reserves during WW2.
The Defence Medal (United Kingdom)
The Defence Medal is a campaign medal instituted in 1945 awarded to subjects of the British Commonwealth for service during WW2.
