The Italy Star
Overview
The Italy Star was awarded for operational service in Italy and adjacent countries between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945
Description
The Italy 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 encircled by the inscription "THE ITALY STAR".
The ribbon represents the national colors of Italy with a central green stripe bordered on either side by equal-sized white stripes and edged with equal-sized red stripes.
No clasps or bars were issued for this medal.
Eligibility
The Italy Star was awarded for operational service on land in Italy from 11 June 1943 to 8 May 1945. Qualifying service in Sicily was limited to the initial combat operation from 11 June 1943 to 17 August 1943.
For service in the Army and Air Force, there is no prior time qualification. For aircrew who have not already qualified by service on land, one operational sortie over a specified land or sea area is required. For service in the Navy and Merchant Navy, the 1939-45 Star must have been earned by six months of service before a person can qualify for the Italy Star.
The Italy Star is also granted for certain operations in Sardinia, Greece, Corsica, Elba, Yugoslavia, the Aegean and Dodecanese.
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 Italy Star is worn as a war medal in the New Zealand Order of Wear. It is always worn after the Pacific Star or Burma Star and before the France and Germany 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.