Awards of
World War IIThe British Burma Star was created to recognize all those who served in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Sumatra during World War II.
Materials
copper, zinc.
Award recipients
Persons who served during World War II in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Sumatra.
Reasons for awarding
Service in the specified regions for a period of at least 6 months.
The time frame for receiving the Burma Star is as follows:
Hong Kong - between 26 December 1941 and 2 September 1945.
China and Malaysia - between 16 February and 2 September 1945.
Sumatra – between 24 March 1942 and 2 September 1945.
Service during World War II in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Sumatra from 8 December 1941, but prior to the above dates, was recognized by another award – the Pacific Star.
According to the medal's regulations, if the recipient received the Burma Star and subsequently became eligible for the Pacific Star, the award is not presented, but is noted by pinning it to the Burma Star ribbon.
The territory of service that entitled one to the Burma Star was as follows: the Bay of Bengal, a line running from the southernmost point of Ceylon for a distance of 300 miles south, thence to a point 300 miles south of the southernmost point of Sumatra, and thence along the western side of the Sunda Strait, including Strait of Malacca. Service in this region had to be at least six months. For Army personnel, service in any part of Burma, as well as in the Indian provinces of Bengal and Assam between May 1, 1942, and September 2, 1945, was considered. Air Force crews were required to complete at least one flight over the combat zone; for Air Force ground personnel, the criteria were the same as for the Army.
The award is made of copper-zinc alloy and takes the form of a six-pointed star 38 mm wide and 44 mm high. As with other campaign awards, the center is adorned with the monogram of King George VI, surmounted by a crown. Around the rim is the inscription "Burma Star." The reverse of the award is plain; on awards for South African and Australian servicemen, the recipient's name could be engraved.
The award ribbon consists of a wide red stripe in the center symbolizing the British land forces, narrow dark blue stripes symbolizing the navy, and yellow stripes symbolizing the sun.