The Atlantic Star

Description

The Atlantic Star was awarded to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945. It was designed primarily for convoys and their escorts and anti-submarine forces and for crews of fast merchant ships that sailed alone. The 6-pointed star is yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words The Atlantic Star. The ribbon has three vertical stripes of blue, white and sea green, shaded and watered. The colours represent the colours of the Atlantic Ocean.

Requirements

The Atlantic Star is awarded for operational service in the Atlantic and home waters between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945.

To apply for the Atlantic Star, the person must have already qualified for the 1939 to 1945 Star and have an additional:

  • 180 days operational service or any 6 months afloat in the army in the above qualifying areas
  • 180 days operational service afloat as ground crew in the RAF (Royal Air Force) in the above qualifying areas
  • 60 days operational service as aircrew in the RAF in the above qualifying areas
  • 180 days afloat in operational areas in the Royal Navy in the above qualifying areas

The Atlantic Star is worn with the blue edge furthest from the left shoulder.

2 clasps were issued for the Atlantic Star:

  • Air Crew Europe
  • France and Germany

A person who qualifies for the Atlantic Star, the France and Germany Star and the Air Crew Europe Star mentioned below, or two of these, is awarded only the Star first earned. A Clasp is awarded with it, denoting that the service which would have qualified for the second Star has been rendered. When the Atlantic Star is granted under this provision and the ribbon alone is worn, a silver rose Emblem will denote the award of the France and Germany or Air Crew Europe Clasp as the case may be. No individual will be awarded more than one Clasp to the Atlantic Star.

My medal

One of the first awards I got was the Atlantic Star from Italy by mail. It is in great condition and has a nice vintage smell from the ribbon.