World War 2, Air Crew Europe Star

Subcollections
Overview

The Air Crew Europe Star is a military campaign medal, instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945 for award to British and Commonwealth air crews who participated in operational flights over Europe from bases in the United Kingdom during World War 2. The star has a ring suspender which passes through an eyelet formed above the uppermost point of the star. It is a 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. 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 AIR CREW EUROPE STAR". The reverse is plain.

Historical information

The Air Crew Europe Star was one of a series of nine campaign stars designed by the Royal Mint engravers. It was instituted in May 1945 for award to air crew who flew operations from the United Kingdom over Europe. It was not awarded to supporting ground personnel. Two clasps were instituted to be worn on the medal ribbon: Atlantic and France and Germany. The ribbons for this medal and the Defence Medal as well as those of the other Second World War campaign stars, with the exception of the Arctic Star, were devised by King George VI.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-32-99-123
Inscriptions and markings

The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide, with a 4 millimetres wide black band and a 3 millimetres wide yellow band, repeated in reverse order and separated by an 18 millimetres wide blue band. The colours and layout symbolise the continuous service of the Royal Air Force by night and day. The sky is represented by the blue centre band and night flying by the black bands on the edges, while the yellow bands represent enemy searchlights

Contextual information

Multiple examples of individual medals and medal groups are retained as an ongoing memorial to the service and sacrifice of Western Australians. Medals are displayed in context throughout the Museum. All medals are identified, archivally stored and those not on display are accessible and viewable with prior notice.

Last modified
Monday, 6 October, 2025
Completeness
72
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Air crew Europe

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