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The Air Crew Europe Star

The Air Crew Europe Star

Overview

The Air Crew Europe Star was awarded for flying operations over Europe from bases in the United Kingdom between 3 September 1939 and 5 June 1944.  

Description

The Air Crew Europe Star is a bronze six-pointed star with a circular centre featuring the Royal Cypher "GRI VI".  The cyper is surmounted by the Tudor crown and encircled with the inscription "THE AIR CREW EUROPE STAR".

The ribbon has a central light blue stripe bordered on either side by narrow stripes of yellow and black, symbolising the continuous service of the Air Force by night and day.

Personnel qualifying for the Atlantic Star, the France and Germany Star, and/or the Aircrew Europe Star were awarded the first star they qualified for, and a clasp in respect of the second and/or third star. When ribbons only were worn on military uniform, a silver rose emblem on the ribbon denoted the award of a clasp.

Eligibility

The Air Crew Europe Star was awarded for two months of service in an air operational unit based in the United Kingdom.  Service had to be completed after qualification for the 1939-1945 Star had been fulfilled, requiring a total of four months of service.  

The full eligibility criteria for the eight Second World War campaign stars (instituted before 1947) and the two British war service medals can be viewed in Campaign Stars and Commemorative Medals instituted for the 1939-45 War, (PDF, 3.4 MB)a British Army pamphlet, issued in 1947 or 1948, which includes NZ Army handwritten annotations.

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this medal

    The Air Crew Europe Star is worn as a war medal in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  It is always worn after the Atlantic Star and before the Arctic Star.

    For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:

  • Applying for this medal

    NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals (PAM) issues war, operational and service medals to current and former NZDF members.

    If you or someone you know may be eligible, you can apply through our application page.

    Apply for unclaimed medals

  • Checking if this medal was issued

    Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record.  NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.

    Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by completing the form on the Service Record page. 

    Request a service record