Pacific Star

This Star was awarded for operational service in the Pacific theatre from 8 December 1941 to 2 September 1945.

Members of the Royal and Merchant Navy were awarded this medal for service in the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea and a line in the Indian Ocean running South from Singapore. The 1939 - 1945 Star must have been earned before the qualification period for the Pacific Star could begin. The only exception to this is those whose entered in to the operational area after 2 March 1945.

For the Army, personnel had to serve in territories subject to enemy invasion. Those soldiers who saw service in China and Malaya between 8 December 1941 and 15 February 1942 are also entitled to wear this medal. Service in Burma did not count towards this medal.

RAF crews had to fly at least one operational sortie over the appropriate land or sea area.

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 PACIFIC STAR". The reverse is plain and blank as with all Second World War Stars.

There was one clasp issued with this medal, which was the BURMA clasp and was worn if the holder later qualified for the Burma Star. When only ribbons are worn, the clasp is denoted by a silver rosette.

The ribbon is 1.25" wide, and is dark green to represent the jungle, with scarlet edges, and stripes of dark blue and light blue to represent the 3 armed forces, with the central yellow stripe representing the beaches.