Awards of
World War IIThe Italy Star is a British Empire medal awarded for service during World War II in Italy, Greece, and Yugoslavia.
Materials
copper, zinc.
Award recipients
Persons who served after June 11, 1943, in Italy, Greece, and Yugoslavia.
Reasons for awarding
Service in the specified regions for at least six months.
The medal was awarded to military personnel for service in Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, the islands of Pantelleria, the Dodecanese, and Elba, as well as in the Aegean Sea between June 11, 1943, and May 8, 1945. In other areas, the time limits for eligibility for the Italy Star were as follows: Sicily, between June 11, 1943 and August 17, 1943; Sardinia, between June 11, 1943 and September 19, 1943; Corsica, between June 11, 1943 and October 4, 1943.
Navy and merchant marine personnel were eligible for this award if they served in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, as well as participated in operations in the Dodecanese Islands, Corsica, and waters near Greece, Sardinia, and Yugoslavia. Naval ground personnel have the same criteria for receiving the Italy Star as the Army. For Air Force personnel, the criterion is flying over these territories during the specified time.
The Italy Star medal is a six-pointed medal made of copper and zinc alloy, measuring 44 x 38 mm. The obverse of the award features the central monogram of King George VI, surmounted by a crown, surrounded by a circlet bearing the inscription "Star of Italy." The reverse of the award is plain, except for awards for South Africa and Australia, which were engraved with the recipient's name. The award ribbon is in the colors of the Italian flag.