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{{about|the Second World War campaign medal|the cruise ship|Pacific Star (ship)|the radio network|Pacific Star Network}}
{{Short description|United Kingdom military campaign medal for service in the Second World War}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox military award
| name             = The Pacific Star
| image            = WW2 Pacific Star.jpg
| image_size       = 300px
| caption          =
| presenter       = [[George VI|the Monarch of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India]]
| country          = [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg|x14px]] [[United Kingdom]]
| type             = Military campaign medal
| eligibility      = All Ranks
| awarded_for              = Service in operational area
| campaign         = Pacific 1941–1945
| status           =
| description      =
| motto            =
| clasps           = BURMA
| post-nominals    =
| established      = May 1945
| firstawarded      = 
| lastawarded       =
| total_awarded            =
| total_awarded_posthumously       =
| total_recipients       =
| precedence_label = Order of wear
| individual       =
| higher           = [[Africa Star]]
| same             =
| lower            = [[Burma Star]]
| related          = [[Burma Star]]
| image2           = [[File:Pacific Star BAR.svg|x30px]] [[File:Ribbon - Pacific Star & Rosette.png|x30px]]
| caption2         = Ribbon bar without and with Burma Clasp rosette
}}

The '''Pacific Star''' is a military campaign medal instituted by the [[United Kingdom]] in May 1945 for award to British and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces who served in the [[Pacific War|Pacific Campaign]] from 1941 to 1945, during the [[Second World War]].<ref name="Regulations"/><ref name="NewZealandPacific"/>

One clasp, '''Burma''', was instituted to be worn on the medal ribbon.<ref name="Regulations"/><ref name="NewZealandBurma"/>

==The Second World War Stars==
On 8 July 1943, the {{nowrap|1939–43}} Star (later named the {{nowrap|1939–1945}} Star) and the Africa Star became the first two campaign stars instituted by the United Kingdom, and by May 1945 a total of eight stars and nine clasps had been established to reward campaign service during the Second World War.<ref name="Regulations"/> 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.<ref name="Stratford">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160427175101/http://www.stephen-stratford.co.uk/wwii_medals.htm Stephen Stratford Medals site: British Military & Criminal History, 1900 to 1999. 1939–45 Star] (Access date 1 April 2015)</ref><ref name="Hansard2">[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1943/aug/03/war-service-decorations War Service (Decorations) – Statement in the House of Commons by Winston Churchill on 3 August 1943 (HC Deb 03 August 1943 vol 391 cc2091-3)] (Access date 9 April 2015)</ref><ref name="BomberCommand">[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140805133045/http://www.veterans-uk.info/arctic_star_index.htm The National Archives – Ministry of Defence – Arctic Star and Bomber Command Clasp] (Access date 1 April 2015)</ref>

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 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:<ref name="Stratford"/><ref name="BomberCommand"/><ref name="Regulations">{{cite web|last=Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals in Time of War|title=Campaign Stars and the Defence Medal (Regulations)|url=http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/hmso/campaign_stars_defence.htm|publisher=HM Stationery Office|access-date=2010-08-01|location=London|date=May 1945}}</ref>

* The [[1939–1945 Star]] with, when awarded, either the [[Battle of Britain]] or the Bomber Command clasp.<ref name="NewZealand1939-45">[http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h9-reg.html New Zealand Defence Force – The 1939–45 Star Eligibility Rules] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170018/http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h9-reg.html |date=3 March 2016 }} (Access date 12 April 2015)</ref>
* 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.<ref name="NewZealandAtlantic">[http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h10-reg.html New Zealand Defence Force – The Atlantic Star Eligibility Rules] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115104616/http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h10-reg.html |date=15 January 2015 }} (Access date 4 April 2015)</ref><ref name="NewZealandACE">[http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h11-reg.html New Zealand Defence Force – The Air Crew Europe Star Eligibility Rules] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115104626/http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h11-reg.html |date=15 January 2015 }} (Access date 12 April 2015)</ref><ref name="NewZealandF&G">[http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h16-reg.html New Zealand Defence Force – The France and Germany Star Eligibility Rules] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115104722/http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h16-reg.html |date=15 January 2015 }} (Access date 12 April 2015)</ref>
* The [[Arctic Star]].<ref name="BomberCommand"/><ref name="NewZealandArctic">[http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/news/index.html#arctic New Zealand Defence Force – The Arctic Star] (Access date 12 April 2015)</ref>
* The [[Africa Star]] with, if awarded, the first earned of clasps for North Africa 1942–43, 8th Army or 1st Army.<ref name="NewZealandAfrica">[http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h12-reg.html New Zealand Defence Force – The Africa Star Eligibility Rules] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115104638/http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h12-reg.html |date=15 January 2015 }} (Access date 12 April 2015)</ref>
* Either the '''Pacific Star''' or [[Burma Star]]. Those earning both received the first qualified for, with the appropriate clasp to represent the second.<ref name="NewZealandPacific">[http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h13-reg.html New Zealand Defence Force – The Pacific Star Eligibility Rules] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115104648/http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h13-reg.html |date=15 January 2015 }} (Access date 9 April 2015)</ref><ref name="NewZealandBurma">[http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h14-reg.html New Zealand Defence Force – The Burma Star Eligibility Rules] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115104659/http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h14-reg.html |date=15 January 2015 }} (Access date 12 April 2015)</ref>
* The [[Italy Star]].<ref name="NewZealandItaly">[http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h15-reg.html New Zealand Defence Force – The Italy Star Eligibility Rules] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427194005/http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h15-reg.html |date=27 April 2015 }} (Access date 12 April 2015)</ref>

All recipients of campaign stars also received the [[War Medal 1939–1945|War Medal]].<ref name=Dorling>{{Cite book|author=Captain H. Taprell Dorling.|title=Ribbons and Medals.|pages=97–98. Published A.H.Baldwin & Sons, London. 1956}}</ref>

==Institution==
At the same time as the Second World War campaigns against [[Axis Forces]] in Africa and Europe, [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] forces were also fighting the Japanese in the Pacific. This campaign began on 8 December 1941, the day after the Japanese attack on the American fleet at [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|Pearl Harbor]]. It took place in the sea and air of the Pacific Ocean as well as on land, with Japanese forces quickly invading Malaya, Singapore and the Philippines.<ref name="GovUK">[https://www.gov.uk/medals-campaigns-descriptions-and-eligibility#pacific-star-malaya-singapore-and-the-pacific-ocean GOV.UK – Defence and armed forces – guidance – Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility – Pacific Star: Malaya, Singapore and the Pacific Ocean] (Access date 12 April 2015)</ref> While the Japanese advance across the Pacific was stemmed by mid–1942 the war continued, both at sea and on numerous Pacific islands, until the final Japanese surrender on 2 September 1945.<ref name="GovUK"/>

The Pacific Star was instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945 for award to those who had served in operations in the Pacific Campaign from 8 December 1941 to 2 September 1945.<ref name="Regulations"/><ref name="NewZealandPacific"/><ref name="NewZealandersPacific">[http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/category/h/h13.html New Zealand Defence Force – British Commonwealth War And Campaign Medals Awarded To New Zealanders – The Pacific Star] (Access date 13 April 2015)</ref>

==Award criteria==
The eligibility criteria for the award of the Pacific Star were different for service at sea, on land and in the air.<ref name="Regulations"/><ref name="NewZealandPacific"/>

===General===
No recipient could receive both the Pacific and the Burma Stars. A clasp inscribed 'Burma' was instituted to be worn on the Pacific Star's ribbon by those who earned the Pacific Star and who subsequently qualified for the Burma Star.<ref name=Joslin/>

The award of a gallantry medal or [[Mentioned in dispatches|Mention in Dispatches]] qualified the recipient for the award of the Pacific Star, regardless of service duration. Those whose qualifying service period was terminated prematurely by their death or disability due to service were also awarded the Star.<ref name="Birkenhead"/>

===Service afloat===
Naval personnel qualified for service at sea within certain specified boundaries.<ref name="Regulations"/><ref name="NewZealandPacific"/><ref name="Stratford"/><ref name="GovUK"/>

Between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945, once the 1939–1945 Star had already been earned, Naval and Merchant Navy service of one or more days in the Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea, and in the Indian Ocean east of a line running due south from Singapore round the south-east coast of Sumatra, through Christmas Island, and southwards along the Meridian of 110° East qualified for the award of the Pacific Star.<ref name="Regulations"/><ref name="NewZealandPacific"/><ref name="Stratford"/>

[[File:AHS Centaur 1944.jpg|thumb|[[AHS Centaur|AHS ''Centaur'']]]]
In 1994, the Australian government conducted a review of the conditions for award of the Pacific Star, as set out in Command Paper 6833 of June 1946. As a result, the conditions for award were amended to include any member of the Australian military who was on board the [[AHS Centaur|Australian Hospital Ship ''Centaur'']] when it was torpedoed and sunk on 14 May 1943. The Pacific Star can be awarded to these men and women regardless of whether they had been awarded or were eligible for the 1939–1945 Star, the [[Australia Service Medal 1939–1945]] or any other campaign award.<ref name="AHS Centaur">[http://www.defence.gov.au/Medals/_Master/docs/Imperial/WWII/Pacific-Star-S326-96-Amendment.pdf ''Commonwealth of Australia Gazette no. S 326, Wednesday 4 September 1996.''] Government House, Canberra ACT 2600. Cat. no. 96 31194. (Access date 17 April 2015) {{ISSN|1032-2345}} The ISBN printed in the document (0644 469335) is invalid, causing a checksum error.</ref>

Certain special conditions applied governing the award of the Pacific Star to those Naval personnel who entered operational service less than six months before the end of the war. Those who entered operational service in the qualifying area on or after 7 March 1945 and who did not thereafter serve in the area qualifying for the Burma Star, could qualify for the Pacific Star by entry into operational service. In such cases, however, the 1939–1945 Star could not be awarded for service of less than 180 days.<ref name="NewZealandPacific"/>

===Service ashore===
Army, Naval and Air Force personnel serving ashore in those territories which had been subjected to enemy or allied invasions had no prior time restriction and qualified upon entry into the prescribed area of land operations.<ref name="Regulations"/><ref name="NewZealandPacific"/><ref name="Stratford"/><ref name="GovUK"/>

Qualifying service on land was restricted to operational service in the following territories in which there had been enemy or Allied invasions, service in Burma excluded and all dates inclusive:<ref name="Regulations"/><ref name="NewZealandPacific"/>
* Bismarck Archipelago from 22 January 1942 to 2 September 1945.<ref name="NewZealandPacific"/>
* British North Borneo, Brunei, Sarawak and Dutch Borneo from 8 December 1941 to 2 September 1945.
* Caroline Islands from 8 December 1941 to 2 September 1945.
* Celebes from 26 January 1942 to 2 September 1945.
* China from 11 December 1941 to 15 February 1942.
* Gilbert and Ellice Islands from 10 December 1941 to 2 September 1945.
* Guam from 12 December 1941 to 2 September 1945.
* Hong Kong from 8 December 1941 to 25 December 1941.<ref name="Regulations"/>
* Iwo Jima from 8 December 1941 to 25 December 1941.<ref name="NewZealandPacific"/>
* Java from 5 March 1942 to 2 September 1945.
* Malaya from 8 December 1941 to 15 February 1942.
* Marianas from 8 December 1941 to 2 September 1945.
* Marshall Islands from 8 December 1941 to 2 September 1945.
* Molucca Islands from 30 January 1942 to 2 September 1945.
* Nauru from 8 December 1941 to 2 September 1945.
* New Guinea from 7 March 1942 to 2 September 1945.
* Ocean Island from 8 December 1941 to 2 September 1945.
* Okinawa from 8 December 1941 to 2 September 1945.
* Philippines Islands from 10 December 1941 to 2 September 1945.
* Solomon Islands (British Solomon Islands Protectorate and Australian Mandated Territory) from 1 February 1942 to 2 September 1945.
* Sumatra from 14 February 1942 to 23 March 1942.<ref name="Regulations"/>
* Timor from 20 February 1942 to 2 September 1945.<ref name="NewZealandPacific"/>
* Wake Island from 22 December 1941 to 2 September 1945.

Service in China, Hong Kong, Malaya and Sumatra after the respective end dates listed above was recognised by the award of the Burma Star.<ref name="Regulations"/><ref name="Stratford"/><ref name="GovUK"/><ref name="NewZealandersPacific"/>

Service in [[Norfolk Island]], [[New Caledonia]], [[New Hebrides]], [[Fiji]] Islands, [[Tonga]] Islands, [[Phoenix Islands]] and [[Fanning Island]] did not qualify for the Pacific Star.<ref name="Regulations"/>

===Airborne Service===
Air crew engaged in operations against the enemy qualified, provided they had already earned the 1939–1945 Star and had completed at least one operational sortie over the appropriate sea or land area. Air crew on transport or ferrying duties qualified by at least three landings in any of the qualifying land areas.<ref name="Regulations"/><ref name="NewZealandPacific"/><ref name="GovUK"/>

Troops who took part in airborne operations in a qualifying area for land operations qualified by entry into operational service.<ref name="NewZealandPacific"/>

==Description==
The set of nine campaign stars was designed by the [[Royal Mint]] engravers. The stars all have a ring suspender that passes through an eyelet formed above the uppermost point of the star. They are six–pointed stars, struck in yellow copper zinc alloy to fit into a 44 millimetres diameter circle, with a maximum width of 38 millimetres and 50 millimetres high from the bottom point of the star to the top of the eyelet.<ref name="Birkenhead">[http://medals.birkenheadrsa.com/medals-details.php?MedalNumber=260 Birkenhead Returned Services Association – Military Medals – The Pacific Star] (Access date 14 October 2018)</ref>

;Obverse
The obverse has a central design of the [[Royal Cypher]] "GRI VI", surmounted by a crown. A circlet, the top of which is covered by the crown, surrounds the cypher and is inscribed "THE PACIFIC STAR".<ref name="Birkenhead"/>

;Reverse
The reverse is plain.

;Naming
The British [[Honours Committee]] decided that Second World War campaign medals awarded to British forces would be issued unnamed,<ref name=Joslin>{{Cite book|author=Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin.|title=British Battles and Medals.|page=246. Published by Spink, London. 1988}}</ref> a policy applied by all but three British Commonwealth countries. The recipient's details were impressed on the reverse of the stars awarded to Indians, South Africans and, after a campaign led by veteran organisations, to Australians.<ref>A distinction almost denied: the naming of Australia's Second World War medals, Trevor Turner. Orders & Medals Research Society Journal, September 2018, pp 148-157</ref> In the case of South Africans and Australians, naming consisted of the recipient's force number, initials and surname in block capitals, with awards to Indians also showing the service arm or corps.<ref name="Stratford"/><ref name="Birkenhead"/><ref name="Bonarjee">[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1940s/VSCBonarjee.html Memoirs - My Days With The I.A.F (1940-48) - V S C Bonarjee, IAS] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825024710/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1940s/VSCBonarjee.html |date=25 August 2013 }} (Access date 14 April 2015)</ref><ref name="BonarjeeGongs">[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1940s/Images/Bonarjee-Medals-Rear.jpg Rear Side of the Medals] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214215009/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1940s/Images/Bonarjee-Medals-Rear.jpg |date=14 February 2010 }} (Access date 14 April 2015)</ref>

;Clasp
[[File:Ribbon - Pacific Star & Burma.png|thumb|x40px]]
The clasp, designed to be sewn onto the medal's ribbon, was struck in yellow copper zinc alloy and has a frame with an inside edge that resembles the perforated edge of a postage stamp. When medals are not worn, a silver [[Rosette (design)|rosette]] is worn on the ribbon bar to denote the award of the clasp.<ref name="Regulations"/><ref name="Stratford"/><ref name="Birkenhead"/>

;Ribbon
The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide with a 5½ millimetres wide Army red band, a 3 millimetres wide navy blue band, a 6 millimetres wide dark green band, a 3 millimetres wide yellow band, a 6 millimetres wide dark green band, a 3 millimetres wide Royal Air Force blue band and a 5½ millimetres wide Army red band. The forests and beaches of the Pacific are represented by the dark green and yellow bands respectively, while the [[Royal Navy]] and Merchant Navy, the Armies and the Air Forces are represented by the dark blue, red and light blue bands respectively.<ref name="Regulations"/><ref name="GovUK"/>

The ribbons for this medal and the [[Defence Medal (United Kingdom)|Defence Medal]] as well as those of the other Second World War campaign stars, with the exception of the Arctic Star, were devised by [[George VI|King George VI]].<ref name="Regulations"/><ref name="WarRecords">[https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/medals/1939-45-star/ Forces War Records – Medals – 1939–1945 Star] (Access date 2 April 2015)</ref>

==Order of wear==
The order of wear of the Second World War campaign stars was determined by their respective campaign start dates and by the campaign's duration. This is the order worn, even when a recipient qualified for them in a different order. The Defence Medal and War Medal are worn after the stars.<ref name=LonGaz>{{London Gazette|issue=40204|supp=y|page=3538|date=11 June 1954}}</ref> The [[Canadian Volunteer Service Medal]] is worn after the Defence Medal and before the War Medal, with other Commonwealth war medals worn after the War Medal.<ref name=LonGaz/>
* The [[1939–1945 Star]], from 3 September 1939 to 2 September 1945, the full duration of the [[World War II|Second World War]].<ref name="NewZealand1939-45"/>
* The [[Atlantic Star]], from 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945, the duration of the [[Battle of the Atlantic]] and the War in Europe.<ref name="NewZealandAtlantic"/>
* The [[Arctic Star]], from 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945, the duration of the [[Arctic convoys of World War II|Arctic Convoys]]  and the War in Europe.<ref name="NewZealandArctic"/>
* The [[Air Crew Europe Star]], from 3 September 1939 to 5 June 1944, the period until [[Normandy landings|D-Day]] minus one.<ref name="NewZealandACE"/>
* The [[Africa Star]], from 10 June 1940 to 12 May 1943, the duration of the [[North African Campaign]].<ref name="NewZealandAfrica"/>
* The '''Pacific Star''', from 8 December 1941 to 2 September 1945, the duration of the [[Pacific War]].<ref name="NewZealandPacific"/>
* The [[Burma Star]], from 11 December 1941 to 2 September 1945, the duration of the [[Burma Campaign]].<ref name="NewZealandBurma"/>
* The [[Italy Star]], from 11 June 1943 to 8 May 1945, the duration of the [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian Campaign]].<ref name="NewZealandItaly"/>
* The [[France and Germany Star]], from 6 June 1944 to 8 May 1945, the duration of the [[North-West Europe Campaign of 1944–1945|North West Europe Campaign]].<ref name="NewZealandF&G"/>
* The [[Defence Medal (United Kingdom)|Defence Medal]], from 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945 (2 September 1945 for those serving in the Far East and the Pacific),<ref>{{Cite book|author=Captain H. Taprell Dorling.|title=Ribbons and Medals.|page=97. Published A.H.Baldwin & Sons, London. 1956}}</ref> the duration of the Second World War.<ref name="NewZealandDefence">[http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h17-reg.html New Zealand Defence Force - The Defence Medal Eligibility Rules] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115104742/http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h17-reg.html |date=15 January 2015 }} (Access date 21 April 2015)</ref>
* The [[War Medal 1939–1945|War Medal]], from 3 September 1939 to 2 September 1945, the full duration of the Second World War.<ref name="NewZealandWarMedal">[http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h18-reg.html New Zealand Defence Force - The War Medal 1939-45 Eligibility Rules] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429130701/http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/warrants/h18-reg.html |date=29 April 2015 }} (Access date 22 April 2015)</ref>

The Pacific Star is therefore worn as shown:<ref name=LonGaz/>

[[File:Ribbon - Africa Star.png|x37px|Africa Star]] [[File:Pacific Star BAR.svg|x37px|Pacific Star]] [[File:Ribbon - Italy Star.png|x37px|Italy Star]]
* Preceded by the [[Africa Star]].
* Succeeded by the [[Burma Star]], but that ribbon could not be awarded together with the Pacific Star. As such, on any bar the Pacific Star would be followed by the Italy Star or another medal that was lower in the order of precedence.

==External links==
*[https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/private-lives/yourcountry/collections/collections-second-world-war/medals-and-memorials/pacific-star/ Pacific Star on the UK Parliament website]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{British campaign medals}}
{{Australian Campaign Medals}}
{{New Zealand campaign medals}}
{{South African military decorations and medals}}

[[Category:British campaign medals]]
[[Category:Australian campaign medals]]
[[Category:New Zealand campaign medals]]
[[Category:Military decorations and medals of South Africa pre-1952]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1945]]
[[Category:Military awards and decorations of World War II]]
[[Category:Pacific War]]