The Italy Star: A prestigious bronze star commemorating the bravery and dedication of British and Commonwealth troops during World War II's Italian Campaign. Adorned with a ribbon showcasing the vibrant colours of the Italian flag. Read more..
The Italy Star is a British military campaign medal established in 1945 to recognize the service of British and Commonwealth personnel during the Italian Campaign of World War II. The Italian Campaign took place from 1943 to 1945 and involved the Allied powers, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries, fighting against the Axis powers, led by Germany and Italy, in Italy and the surrounding region. The Italy Star honors the commitment and sacrifice of those who served in this challenging and pivotal campaign that helped bring about the end of the war.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Italy Star, personnel must have served in a qualifying area of operation, which included Italy, Sicily, Greece, Yugoslavia, the Aegean area, or the Dodecanese Islands between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945. The medal could be awarded to members of the British Armed Forces, the Merchant Navy, and other civilian personnel who served in direct support of military operations. The minimum service requirement for the Italy Star is one day of service on land, at sea, or in the air within the designated operational area.
Design
The Italy Star is designed as a six-pointed bronze star, with the points of the star representing the compass points. The obverse of the medal features a central design of the Royal cypher of King George VI, surrounded by the words "The Italy Star". The reverse of the medal is plain, traditionally engraved with the recipients name.
Ribbon
The ribbon of the Italy Star features the colours of the Italian flag, with vertical stripes of red, white, and green.
The Italy Star serves as a symbol of the service and sacrifice of British and Commonwealth personnel who served during the Italian Campaign of World War II. It is a testament to their dedication and commitment in the fight against tyranny and a reminder of the challenges they faced in a crucial and difficult campaign that helped bring about the end of the war.
If you order your medal unmounted, the medal and ribbon will be supplied as separate components. Miniature medals will be supplied with 15cm of ribbon and full size medals will be supplied with 30cm of ribbon.
The court mounting of medals involves securing medals to a stiff backing board, along with the placement of a brooch fitting on the board. This ensures that the medals remain firmly in place and do not shift or move about while being worn.
It is mandatory for active members of the Australian Defence Force to have their medals court mounted, as it is considered the appropriate method of presenting military honours in a professional and respectful manner. By doing so, the medals are given proper recognition and are displayed in a neat and organized fashion.The swing mounting of medals refers to the attachment of a medal to a ribbon that is allowed to hang freely from a brooch, which in turn is affixed to a uniform or clothing. This mounting style was commonly used for medals from the Boer War up to and including World War II, although there are no fixed guidelines or regulations regarding its use.
Miniature Court Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
Miniature Swing Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
A ribbon bar is a small, rectangular display of ribbons worn on military uniforms to represent various honours and awards earned by the wearer. These ribbons are arranged in a specific order and are attached to a backing, which is then attached to the uniform. Ribbon bars are a compact and convenient way for military personnel to display their achievements and are often used in situations where a full-sized medal or award would be impractical.
