The Atlantic Star
Overview
The Atlantic Star was instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945 for award to British Commonwealth forces who took part in the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest continuous campaign of the Second World War.
Description
The Atlantic Star is a bronze six-pointed star with a circular centre featuring the Royal Cypher "GRI/VI". The cypher is surmounted by the Tudor crown, and is encircled by the inscription 'The Atlantic Star'.
The watered silk ribbon features a gradient of blue, white, and green stripes, representing service in the Atlantic Ocean, and the United Kingdom and North Russian waters.
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 Atlantic Star was awarded for six months naval service or four months air service in the Atlantic, or the United Kingdom 'Home' waters or North Russian waters. All service had to be completed after the qualifying time for the 1939-1945 Star had been fulfilled.
Personnel who served in the qualifying sea areas for all or part of the last six months of the War in Europe (10 November 1944 - 8 May 1945) and who did not subsequently serve in any other area of active service operations, could be awarded the Atlantic Star for 'entry into the area' and the six-month or four-month time qualification was waived.
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
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Wearing this medal
The Atlantic Star is worn as a war medal in the New Zealand Order of Wear. It is always worn after the 1939-1945 Star and before the Air Crew Europe Star.
For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:
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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.
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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.