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The Burma Star

The Burma Star

Overview

The Burma Star was awarded for service in the Burma campaign from 11 December 1941 to 2 September 1945. This medal was also awarded for specified service in China, Hong Kong, Malaya, and Sumatra. Specified service in these areas between 8 December 1941 and 23 March 1942 was recognised by the Pacific Star. (See eligibility section below).

Description

The Burma 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 by the inscription "THE BURMA STAR".

The ribbon has a broad central stripe of red flanked on both sides by two dark blue stripes separated by a narrow stripe of bright orange. The red and dark blue stripes represent the Commonwealth and British Forces respectively, while the orange symbolises the sun.

One clasp, ‘Pacific' was awarded for wear on this medal. Personnel who qualified for both the Burma Star and the Pacific Star were awarded the first star they qualified for, and a clasp respresenting the second star.

Eligibility

The Burma Star was awarded for service in the Burma campaign from 11 December 1941 to 2 September 1945. This medal was also awarded for certain specified service in China, Hong Kong, Malaya and Sumatra: between 26 December 1941 and 2 September 1945 (for Hong Kong); between 16 February 1942 and 2 September 1945 (for China and Malaya); and between 24 March 1942 and 2 September 1945 (for Sumatra). Second World War service in China, Hong Kong, Malaya and Sumatra after 8 December 1941 but prior to the above start dates was recognised by the award of the Pacific Star.

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 Burma Star is always worn after the Africa Star and before the Italy Star in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  Personnel will never wear both the Burma Star and the Pacific Star.  

    For more information on the wear and care of 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