Atlantic Star facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Atlantic Star |
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| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Type | Military campaign medal |
| Eligibility | All Ranks |
| Awarded for | 180 days operational service afloat or 60 days of operational flying |
| Campaign(s) | Battle of the Atlantic |
| Clasps | AIR CREW EUROPE FRANCE AND GERMANY |
| Statistics | |
| Established | May 1945 |
| Order of wear | |
| Next (higher) | 1939–1945 Star |
| Next (lower) | Arctic Star |
| Related | Arctic Star Air Crew Europe Star France and Germany Star |
  Ribbon bar without and with rosette |
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The Atlantic Star is a special medal given to soldiers, sailors, and aircrew from the United Kingdom and other British Commonwealth countries. It was created in May 1945 to honor those who fought in the Battle of the Atlantic. This battle was the longest continuous fight of World War II.
This medal could also have special bars, called 'clasps', attached to its ribbon. These clasps were named Air Crew Europe and France and Germany.
Contents
Medals of World War II
During World War II, many special medals were created to recognize brave service. The first two were the 1939–43 Star (later called the 1939–1945 Star) and the Africa Star. By May 1945, a total of eight 'stars' and nine 'clasps' were established. Later, in 2013, two more were added: the Arctic Star and the Bomber Command Clasp.
Even if someone earned many stars, they could only receive a maximum of six different campaign stars. If their service qualified them for a second star that was similar to one they already had, they would get a clasp instead. Only one clasp could be worn on any single medal ribbon.
The main campaign stars were:
- The 1939–1945 Star (sometimes with a Battle of Britain or Bomber Command clasp).
- Only one of the Atlantic Star, Air Crew Europe Star, or France and Germany Star. If someone earned more than one, they received the first one, and the others were shown as clasps.
- The Arctic Star.
- The Africa Star (sometimes with a clasp for specific campaigns).
- Either the Pacific Star or Burma Star. If both were earned, the first was given, and the second was a clasp.
- The Italy Star.
Everyone who received a campaign star also got the War Medal.
Why the Atlantic Star Was Created
The Battle of the Atlantic was a very long and important fight during World War II. It lasted from September 1939 to May 1945. During this time, German U-boats (submarines) tried to stop ships carrying important supplies from America and other countries from reaching Britain.
Warships from the Royal Navy and planes from the Royal Air Force protected these supply ships. They also hunted down the U-boats. Even though the U-boats had some successes, the Allies (Britain and its friends) eventually won this crucial battle.
The Atlantic Star was created in May 1945 to honor those who took part in this battle. It was mainly given to people who served on the supply convoys, their escort ships, anti-submarine forces, and fast merchant ships that sailed alone.
The 'Air Crew Europe' and 'France and Germany' clasps were added to the Atlantic Star's ribbon. Rules stated that a person could only wear one clasp on any campaign star. So, if someone earned the Atlantic Star, and then later qualified for the Air Crew Europe Star or France and Germany Star, they would get a clasp instead of a second medal.
Who Earned the Atlantic Star?
General Rules
To earn the Atlantic Star, people usually needed to serve for six months at sea in the Atlantic Ocean or nearby waters. This included areas like the North Atlantic, the South Atlantic (near South Africa), and the routes to ports in North Russia. This service had to be between September 3, 1939, and May 8, 1945.
Aircrew members could also earn it if they took part in operations against the enemy at sea. They needed to have served for two months in an operational unit. However, they first had to earn the 1939–1945 Star (which required six months of service for sailors/soldiers or two months for aircrew).
Merchant seamen (sailors on civilian supply ships) also qualified for the medal. They also needed to have earned the 1939–1945 Star first. Their service had to be in the Atlantic, Home Waters, North Russia Convoys, or the South Atlantic.
Special Cases
Sometimes, people could get the Atlantic Star even if they didn't meet the full service time.
- If someone received a medal for bravery (a gallantry medal) or was mentioned for their brave actions in official reports while serving in the qualifying areas, they would get the Atlantic Star.
- If someone's service was cut short because they died, were disabled, or were wounded due to their service, they also received the Star regardless of how long they served.
Naval personnel who started their service less than six months before the war ended could also receive the Atlantic Star if it was their last area of operational service during the war.
What the Medal Looks Like
The Atlantic Star is one of nine campaign stars designed by engravers at the Royal Mint. All these stars are six-pointed and made of a yellow copper-zinc metal. They are about 44 millimeters wide.
- Front (Obverse)
The front of the medal shows the Royal Cypher "GRI VI" (which stands for King George VI) with a crown on top. A circle around this design says "THE ATLANTIC STAR".
- Back (Reverse)
The back of the medal is plain.
- Naming
Most British forces' World War II medals were not named with the recipient's details. However, medals given to soldiers from India, South Africa, and Australia (after veterans asked for it) had the recipient's details stamped on the back. This included their service number, initials, and last name.
- Clasps
The clasps are made of bronze and have a special frame that looks like the edge of a postage stamp. They are inscribed with "AIR CREW EUROPE" or "FRANCE AND GERMANY". These clasps were sewn onto the medal's ribbon. Remember, only one clasp (the first one earned) could be worn with the Star. If someone wore just the ribbon (without the medal), a small silver rosette was added to the ribbon bar to show that a clasp had been awarded.
- Ribbon
The ribbon is 32 millimeters wide and has wavy bands of blue, white, and sea-green. These colors represent the different shades of the Atlantic Ocean. King George VI himself helped design the ribbons for most of the World War II campaign stars.
How Medals Are Worn
The order in which World War II campaign stars are worn depends on when their campaigns started and how long they lasted. This order is always followed, even if a person earned them in a different sequence. The Defence Medal and War Medal are worn after the stars.
Here is the order of wear for the main World War II medals:
- The 1939–1945 Star (for the entire war, 1939-1945).
- The Atlantic Star (for the Battle of the Atlantic and war in Europe, 1939-1945).
- The Arctic Star (for Arctic Convoys and war in Europe, 1939-1945).
- The Air Crew Europe Star (for air operations over Europe, 1939-1944).
- The Africa Star (for the North African Campaign, 1940-1943).
- The Pacific Star (for the Pacific War, 1941-1945).
- The Burma Star (for the Burma Campaign, 1941-1945).
- The Italy Star (for the Italian Campaign, 1943-1945).
- The France and Germany Star (for the Northwest Europe Campaign, 1944-1945).
- The Defence Medal (for general war service, 1939-1945).
- The War Medal (for the full duration of the war, 1939-1945).
- The Atlantic Star is worn after the 1939–1945 Star.
- It is worn before the Arctic Star.
See Also
