1939–1945 Star

United Kingdom military campaign medal for service in the Second World War

The 1939–1945 Star is a military campaign medal instituted by the United Kingdom on 8 July 1943 for award to British and Commonwealth forces for service in the Second World War. Two clasps were instituted to be worn on the medal ribbon, Battle of Britain and Bomber Command.

On 8 July 1943, the 1939–43 Star (later named the 1939–1945 Star) and the Africa Star became the first two campaign stars instituted, and by May 1945 a total of eight stars and nine clasps had been established by the United Kingdom to reward campaign service during the Second World War. Including the Arctic Star and the Bomber Command clasp, no one could be awarded more than six campaign stars, with five of the ten clasps awarded denoting service that would have qualified for a second star. Only one clasp could be worn on any one campaign star. The maximum of six possible stars are the following:

The 1939–1945 Star with, when awarded, either the Battle of Britain or the Bomber Command clasp. Only one of the Atlantic Star, Air Crew Europe Star or France and Germany Star. Those earning more than one received the first qualified for, with the second denoted by the appropriate ribbon clasp. The Arctic Star. The Africa Star with, if awarded, the first to be earned of clasps for North Africa 1942–43, 8th Army or 1st Army. Either the Pacific Star or Burma Star. Those earning both received the first qualified for, with the appropriate clasp to represent the second. The Italy Star. All recipients of campaign stars also received the War Medal.

The institution of the 1939–43 Star (later named the 1939–1945 Star) was announced on 8 July 1943 and, in August, it was announced that the first uniform ribbon bars would be issued to qualifying personnel later that year. The medals themselves were not intended to be available until after the cessation of hostilities. Some ribbon issues to overseas troops were delayed, but many had been received by the end of 1943 and were worn by recipients throughout the remainder of the war. By March 1944 1,600,000 personnel had received 1939 1943 Star ribbon bars, with further awards made by the end of the war. The 1939–1945 Star was awarded for operational service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945, and was the only campaign star that covered the full duration of the Second World War. Two clasps were instituted to be worn on the medal ribbon, along with rosettes to be worn on the ribbon bar of the medal to denote the award of a clasp:
The Battle of Britain Clasp was instituted in 1945 for award to air crew members on fighter aircraft who took part in the Battle of Britain from 10 July to 31 October 1940. A total of 2,936 airmen qualified for the clasp. A silver gilt rosette, worn on the ribbon bar, denotes the award of this clasp. Naval personnel qualified after 180 days afloat between certain specified dates in areas of operations as laid out in the regulations.