Atlantic Star

The Atlantic Star medal was issued to commerate the battle for the Atlantic between 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945. To receive the Atlantic Star, the recipient must have also qualified for the 1939 1945 Star.

Royal and Merchant Navy members (as well as some Army and RAF personnel attached to the Navy) had to serve 6 months service in the Atlantic or home waters, North Russia convoys or in the South Atlantic waters West of longitude 20 degrees East.

Members of RAF aircrew were required to complete 2 months service in the qualifying areas.

The medal itself is a bronze six pointed star with the Royal Cipher "GRI VI" in the centre, surmounted by a crown with the inscription "THE ATLANTIC STAR". The reverse is plain and blank as with all Second World War Stars.

Due to the limitation on the number of stars that you could be issued, there are 2 clasps that could be issued with this medal "AIR CREW EUROPE" and the "FRANCE AND GERMANY". Only one clasp could be worn, for which the second star had been awarded. When the ribbon alone was worn, a silver rose emblem was worn, which denoted the award of a bar.

If the serviceman had been killed or wounded, gained an award, or Mention in Despatches then they qualified for the medal no matter how long they had served in the area.