Context

The Burma Star is a Second World War medal which was awarded for one day or more of operational service during the Burma campaign.

Eligibility and Criteria

The Burma Star was issued between 11 December 1941 and 02 September 1945. In addition for:

1. Navy - six months qualifying service for 1939-1945 Star first, then operational service in the Bay of Bengal and in the Malacca Strait;
2. Army - service on land in Bengal and Assam from 1 May 1942 to 31 December 1943, areas of Bengal and Assam east of the Brahmaputra from 1 January 1944 to 2 September 1945 and operational service in China and Malaya from 16 February 1942 to 2 September 1945; and
3. Air Force - one operational sortie for aircrew and qualifying service as for Army for other Air Force personnel.

Description

The six–pointed star is yellow copper zinc alloy.

The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The Burma Star’.

Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.

The ribbon has a red centre with dark blue, orange, dark blue edges. The red represents the Commonwealth Forces and the orange the sun.

Bars

If later entitled to the Pacific star, the PACIFIC bar would be worn.

When the ribbon is worn alone a silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a bar to the medal.