1939-45 Star Awarded for 180 days operational service between 3 September 1939 to 2 September 1945, the 1939-45 Star is a six pointed gold star suspended from a dark blue, red and pale blue equal striped ribbon [said to represent the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force]. 'The 1939-45 Star' is inscribed and the medal was in some circumstances issued in lieu of injury, death or capture. In some instances the Battle of Britain clasp was awarded.
		Atlantic Star The Atlantic Star was awarded to Australians in commemoration of the Battle of the Atlantic between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. A six pointed star, the medal hangs from a green, white and blue [watered] ribbon said to represent the sea. It is inscribed with 'The Atlantic Star' and was issued with bars for Air Crew Europe, France and Germany. In some instances a silver rose emblem [worn on ribbon bar] was awarded.
		Air Crew Europe Star This 6 pointed star was awarded to air crews who flew missions over Europe from the United Kingdom air bases between 3 September 1939 and 5 June 1944. 3,150 Australians qualified for the award and bars were issued for the Atlantic, Germany, and France. The star is suspended from a black, yellow & light blue ribbon which is said to represent night flying, spotlights, and the sky. The star is inscribed with the words 'The Air Crew Europe Star'. In some instance a silver rose emblem [on ribbon bar] was awarded.
		Africa Star Awarded to those who served in North Africa 1940 to 1943, the six pointed Africa Star hangs from a pale buff ribbon with a thick central red stripe and outer but not edging thin stripes of dark and light blue. 5,250 members of the Royal Australian Navy and 32,506 members of the Australian Army [AIF] received the Africa Star. Clasps included North Africa and 8th Army or 1st Army. While 4,701 members of the Royal Australian Air Force received the same star.

		Pacific Star The Pacific Star was awarded to approximately 205,000 Australians for service in the Pacific from 8 December 1941 to 2 September 1945. The ribbon is red [Army], dark blue [Navy], dark green [jungle], yellow [beaches], and light blue [Royal Air Force]. The Star is inscribed with 'The Pacific Star'. In some instances this star was issued for operational activities in China, Hong Kong and Malaya. Clasps are limited to the Burma.
		Burma Star The Burma Star was awarded for service in Burma, China, Malaya and Sumatra between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. The ribbon is dark blue said to represent the British Forces, orange [the sun], with a thick central red stripe [Commonwealth Forces]. The six pointed star is inscribed with the words 'The Burma Star' and may be dressed with a Pacific clasp. 3,700 members of the Royal Australian Navy, 1,311 members of the Royal Australian Air Force and only 36 members of the Australian Army [AIF] were awarded the Burma Star.
		Italy Star 1,300 members of the Royal Australian Navy, 3,245 members of the Royal Australian Air Force and 95 members of the Australian Army [AIF] were awarded the Italy Star for service in Italy and Sicily between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945. Some operational activities in Greece, Sardinia and Corsica also attracted this medal.
		France And Germany Star Awarded to those who served in France, Belgium, Holland and/or Germany This medal was awarded to 4,800 Australians who served between 6 June 1944 and 8 May 1945. The red centre stripe of the ribbon is flanked by equal width white stripes, which in turn are edged by stripes of blue. An Atlantic bar was also awarded.
		Defence Medal The Defence Medal was awarded for six months non-operational service in the armed forces, civil defence and non defence services that experienced war-like activity and/or for twelve months service outside Australia. 5,500 named Defence Medals were awarded to members of the Royal Australian Navy. 65,690 Defence Medals were awarded to those from the Australian Army [AIF] and 11,202 were awarded to members of the Royal Australian Air Force who served between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945
		War Medal 1939-45 Approximately 250,000 Australians were granted the War Medal 1939-45 for 28 days service in the Armed Forces and Merchant Navy between September 1939 and September 1945. No bars were issued with this medal, however an oak leaf was awarded in some instances for dispatch recognition.

Australian Service Medal 1939-45 Awarded to more than 211,500 members of the Australian Armed Forces and Merchant Navy during WWII, the ASM 1939-45 [instituted in 1949] hangs from a ribbon with a central khaki stripe flanked by thin red stripes. The outer stripes are dark light blue. This medal was also awarded to non-defence personnel who served in operational areas. In certain instances, those eligible for the ASM 1939-45 were also granted the British Campaign Stars, War Medal and Defence Medal.

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The information contained in the medal descriptions has been gathered from a variety of sources both across the web,
from print, and from oral submissions. It is updated as new information comes to hand.

If you are seeking an off-line source of medal information, ASAC Australia highly recommends the following book:
Williams R. D. 1981 1983 1990 Medals To Australia. Pocket Book Publications, Dubbo, Australia

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