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Miniature bronze six-pointed faceted star with lateral loop for ribbon suspension; the face with the crowned cipher of King and Emperor George VI centrally within a stippled ring inscribed ‘THE 1939 - 1945 STAR’; the reverse plain; height excluding suspension ring 26.1mm (1.03 inches), diameter 19.15mm (0.75 inch); on original ribbon. The Star was instituted in 1945 to be awarded for operational service between the declaration of war (3 September 1939) and V.J. Day (2 September 1945). Army personnel were required to complete six months’ service in an operational command. Airborne troops qualified if they had participated in any airborne operation and had completed two months’ service in a fully operational unit. Naval personnel were required to completed six months’ service and at least one voyage in an operational area. Air Force personnel were required to participate in operations against the enemy and to complete two months’ service in an operational unit. Non-aircrew personnel were required to complete six months’ service in an area of operational army command. For Royal Observer Corps personnel, the requirement was 1,080 days’ service. The Star was awarded immediately if service was terminated by death, disability or wounding. The award of a gallantry medal or of a Mention in Despatches led to immediate qualification for the Star.
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