Qualification:
For the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy, the 1939-45 Star must have been earned by six months' service in operations before the qualifying period for the Italy Star could commence. Service in the following areas would qualify: Mediterranean and Aegean seas; operations in and around the Dodecanese, Corsica, Greece, Sardinia and Yugoslavia after 11th June 1943.
For the Army, no prior time qualification. The following operational areas of service qualified: Aegean, Dodacenese, Corsica, Greece, Sardinia, Yugoslavia and Elba between 11th June 1943 and 8th May 1945.
For the RAF, no prior time qualification. Operational qualification consisted of participation in aircrew service within the Mediterranean theatre including sorties from the Mediterranean area over Europe.
Description:
Bronze, 43mm diameter
six-pointed star. The Royal cypher GRI with the roman numerals VI below. The
cypher is surmounted by a crown and within a circlet which reads, THE ITALY
STAR. All the Second World War Stars were designed by The Royal
Mint.
Ribbon:
32mm wide, a central yellow stripe
(symbolising the desert) and two dark green stripes either side (symbolising
forests). From the left, equal stripes of red, white, green, white and red (the colours of the Italian flag). This ribbon, in common with all WW2 Star
ribbons, was designed by His Majesty the King, King George
VI.
Suspension:
A ring attached to the uppermost
point of the star.
Naming:
Issued unnamed although
some stars may have been privately
engraved.
Clasps:
None
Acknowledgements
Photo courtesy of
Sarah Jane Framing and Medals. Text assistance from British Battles & Medals.
