1939-45 Star Miniature Medal

The 1939–1945 Star was the first campaign medal of the British Commonwealth awarded for service in the Second World War. The medal was awarded for operational service between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September 1945.

The miniature medal itself is a 6 pointed star with the Crowned Royal Cipher "GRI VI" in the centre, with an inscription of "THE 1939 - 1945 STAR" around the cipher. The reverse of the medal is blank as with all World War II stars. The miniature ribbon is a standard width of 16mm and the design represents the 3 main services with 3 equal stripes; dark blue to the left representing the Navy, red in the centre representing the Army and light blue to the right, representing the RAF. 

There are 2 miniature bars that can be awarded and worn on the 1939-45 Star, the Battle of Britain and Bomber Command bars. 

To qualify for this medal members of the Navy, Army and RAF needed to have served 6 months in an area of active operations, operational command or operational unit. For the Merchant Navy it was 6 months afloat providing atleast 1 journey was made through an operational area. Time being held as a prisioner of war counted towards the award. If an honour, decoration or Mention in Despatches was awarded, then they qualified for this medal, irrespective of the length of service. If service was curtailed by death or injury they automatically qualifed for the 1939- 45 Star.

AWARD miniature medals complement the full-size official medals and are normally worn for formal dinner dress occasions.

All official medals are sent loose on the ribbon unless medal mounting is also purchased on the same order.