Burma Star facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Burma Star |
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| Country |  United Kingdom, British India |
| Type | Military campaign medal |
| Eligibility | All Ranks |
| Awarded for | Service in operational area |
| Campaign(s) | Burma 1941–1945 |
| Clasps | PACIFIC |
| Statistics | |
| Established | May 1945 |
| Order of wear | |
| Next (higher) | Pacific Star |
| Next (lower) | Italy Star |
| Related | Pacific Star |
  Ribbon bar without and with Pacific Clasp rosette |
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The Burma Star is a special military medal. It was created by the United Kingdom in May 1945. This medal was given to soldiers, sailors, and air force members from Britain and other Commonwealth countries. They received it for their service in the Burma Campaign during the Second World War, which lasted from 1941 to 1945.
A special bar, called the Pacific clasp, could be added to the medal's ribbon. This showed that the person also served in the Pacific area.
Contents
Understanding World War II Medals
During the Second World War, many different medals were created to honor soldiers. These were called "campaign stars." The first two stars, the 1939–43 Star (later known as the 1939–1945 Star) and the Africa Star, were introduced in 1943. By May 1945, a total of eight stars and nine clasps were established. These recognized service in different parts of the war. Later, in 2013, two more awards were added: the Arctic Star and the Bomber Command Clasp.
People could earn up to six different campaign stars. If someone qualified for two stars that were very similar, they usually received one star and a special clasp on its ribbon to show the second area of service. Only one clasp could be worn on any single campaign star.
Here are some of the main campaign stars:
- The 1939–1945 Star: This was for general service throughout the war. It could have clasps like the Battle of Britain or Bomber Command.
- Stars for sea and air battles: These included the Atlantic Star, Air Crew Europe Star, or France and Germany Star. You would get the first one you qualified for, and a clasp for any others.
- The Arctic Star: For those who served in the cold Arctic convoys.
- The Africa Star: For service in the North African Campaign.
- The Pacific Star or Burma Star: You would get one of these, with a clasp if you served in both areas.
- The Italy Star: For service in the Italian Campaign.
Everyone who received a campaign star also got the War Medal.
Why the Burma Star Was Created
The Burma Campaign was a tough part of the Second World War. It started on December 11, 1941, when Japanese forces invaded Burma. They pushed British forces back towards India. The Allies couldn't fight back strongly until early 1944 because Japan was very powerful in the Pacific. The war in Burma ended when Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945.
The Burma Star medal was created in May 1945. It honored those who served in the Burma Campaign from December 11, 1941, to September 2, 1945.
Who Earned the Burma Star?
The rules for getting the Burma Star were a bit different depending on whether you served at sea, on land, or in the air.
General Rules for the Medal
You could not receive both the Burma Star and the Pacific Star. If you earned the Burma Star and later qualified for the Pacific Star, you would get the Burma Star with a special 'Pacific' clasp on its ribbon.
Sometimes, if a person received a gallantry medal (for bravery) or was Mentioned in Dispatches, they would get the Burma Star even if they hadn't served for the usual amount of time. Also, if someone died or became disabled because of their service during the war, they would receive this medal.
People who earned the Burma Star can join the Burma Star Association. This group helps veterans and their families.
Service at Sea
Sailors from the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy qualified if they served in certain parts of the Bay of Bengal and nearby waters. They also had to complete six months of service for the 1939-1945 Star before their service in Burma could count.
Service on Land
Soldiers, ground crew from the Air Force, and Navy personnel serving on land qualified if they were in Burma between December 11, 1941, and September 2, 1945.
The medal was also given for service in other areas during specific times:
- Parts of Bengal and Assam in India.
- China.
- Hong Kong.
- Malaya.
- Sumatra.
If someone served in China, Hong Kong, Malaya, or Sumatra before the specific dates listed above, they would usually receive the Pacific Star instead.
Service in the Air
Air crew members who flew missions against the enemy qualified if they had already earned the 1939–1945 Star. They also needed to complete at least one operational flight over the qualifying sea or land areas. Air crew on transport or ferrying duties qualified if they made at least three landings in any of the qualifying land areas.
Soldiers who took part in airborne operations (like parachute drops) in a qualifying area also received the medal.
What the Medal Looks Like
The Burma Star is one of nine campaign stars designed by engravers at the Royal Mint. All these stars have six points and are made from a yellow copper-zinc metal. They are about 44 millimeters wide and 50 millimeters tall.
- Front (Obverse)
The front of the medal has the Royal Cypher "GRI VI" in the center, with a crown on top. A circle around the cypher says "THE BURMA STAR".
- Back (Reverse)
The back of the medal is plain.
- Naming the Medals
Most British forces' Second World War medals were issued without the recipient's name on them. However, medals given to soldiers from India, South Africa, and Australia had the recipient's details (like their service number and name) stamped on the back.
- The Clasp
The clasp is a small bar made of yellow copper-zinc. It has a frame that looks a bit like the edge of a postage stamp. This clasp was sewn onto the medal's ribbon. When people wear just the ribbon (without the medal), a small silver rosette is attached to the ribbon to show that the clasp was awarded.
- The Ribbon
The ribbon for the Burma Star is 32 millimeters wide. It has dark blue bands on the edges, dark yellow bands next to them, and a wide red band in the middle. The dark blue represents the British Naval forces, the red represents the Commonwealth Armies, and the dark yellow represents the sun.
King George VI himself designed the ribbons for this medal and most other Second World War campaign stars.
How to Wear the Medals
The order in which the Second World War campaign stars were worn was decided by when each campaign started and how long it lasted. This order was followed even if someone earned the medals in a different sequence. The Defence Medal and War Medal are worn after the stars.
Here is the general order of wear for the main campaign stars:
- The 1939–1945 Star
- The Atlantic Star
- The Arctic Star
- The Air Crew Europe Star
- The Africa Star
- The Pacific Star
- The Burma Star
- The Italy Star
- The France and Germany Star
- The Defence Medal
- The War Medal
The Burma Star is worn after the Pacific Star. However, since you couldn't get both the Pacific Star and the Burma Star (you'd get one with a clasp), the Burma Star would usually be worn after the Africa Star or another medal that comes before it in the order. It is always followed by the Italy Star.
Images for kids
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Ribbon bar with Pacific Clasp rosette
