Date Instituted: 1945.

Campaign: Atlantic 1939-45.

Description: Six pointed star with a circular centre bearing the GRI VI royal cypher surrounding which is the inscription 'THE ATLANTIC STAR'. The reverse is plain and the ribbon passes through a ring attached to the uppermost point of the star.

Metal: Bronze.

Size: 44mm high and 38mm wide.

Clasps: 'AIR CREW EUROPE' and 'FRANCE AND GERMANY'.

Ribbon: Three watered stripes of blue, white and green.

Naming: Issued un-named.

Comments: This star was awarded to Royal Navy personnel who completed six months service afloat in the atlantic between 3rd September 1939 and 8th May 1945. Personnel who served in the convoys to Northern Russia were also eligible for this star. All recipients of this star also must have been awarded the 1939-1945 Star with the 6 months service qualifying for that star being separate for that required for the Atlantic Star. RAF and Army personnel serving aboard ship could also qualify for this star but the qualification period was only 2 months.

Those who served in the final six months of the war could be awarded this star without the need to have qualified for the 1939-1945 Star first. Of the two clasps awarded with this medal only one could be granted to any individual.

Further Reading:

• Nil.