The Africa Star is a military campaign medal, instituted by the United Kingdom on 8 July 1943 for award to British and Commonwealth forces who served in North Africa between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943 during the Second World War.[1][2]
Three clasps were instituted to be worn on the medal ribbon: North Africa 1942–43, 8th Army and 1st Army.[1]
The Second World War Stars
On 8 July 1943, the 1939–43 Star (later named the 1939–1945 Star) and the Africa Star became the first two campaign stars instituted, and by May 1945 a total of eight stars and nine clasps had been established by the United Kingdom to reward campaign service during the Second World War.[3] One more campaign star, the Arctic Star, and one more clasp, the Bomber Command Clasp, were belatedly added on 26 February 2013, more than sixty-seven years after the end of the war.[1][2][4]
Including the Arctic Star and the Bomber Command clasp, no-one could be awarded more than six campaign stars, with five of the ten clasps awarded denoting service that would have qualified for a second star. Only one clasp could be worn on any one campaign star. The maximum of six possible stars are the following:[1][4][3]
The 1939–1945 Star with, when awarded, either the Battle of Britain or the Bomber Command clasp.[5]
Only one of the Atlantic Star, Air Crew Europe Star or France and Germany Star. Those earning more than one received the first qualified for, with the second denoted by the appropriate ribbon clasp.[6][7][8]
The Arctic Star.[4][9]
The Africa Star with, if awarded, the first earned of clasps for North Africa 1942–43, 8th Army or 1st Army.[10]
Either the Pacific Star or Burma Star. Those earning both received the first qualified for, with the appropriate clasp to represent the second.[11][12]
The Italy Star.[13]
All recipients of campaign stars also received the War Medal.[14]
