History
The Burma Star was instituted in May 1945 for operational service in the Burma campaign between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945: the long, gruelling war fought by the Fourteenth Army, the Forgotten Army, to hold India's frontier and drive the Japanese back through some of the harshest terrain and climate of the whole conflict. Qualification followed prior award of the 1939-1945 Star and a day's operational service in the theatre.
Like the Pacific Star it was mutually exclusive with its neighbour: a recipient who also qualified for the Pacific Star wore the first earned and a Pacific clasp for the second. Australian service in the Burma theatre was smaller than in the Pacific, but Australians served with the air and naval forces of the campaign. As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The Star is a six-pointed star of yellow copper-zinc alloy fitting within a 44 millimetre circle, ensigned with a crown carrying a ring for suspension, its obverse bearing the royal cypher GRI VI within a circlet inscribed THE BURMA STAR. The reverse is plain; Australian issues, unlike most Commonwealth stars, were impressed on the reverse with the recipient's number, initials and surname after a campaign by veterans' organisations.
The ribbon
Dark blue with a central red stripe and orange bands.
The ribbon has a central bright red stripe on a dark blue field, with an orange stripe in each half, the dark blue and red for the British forces and the orange for the sun of the Far East.
Clasps
One clasp, Pacific, was instituted for the Burma Star, worn on the ribbon.
Pacific
Worn by recipients of the Burma Star who also qualified for the Pacific Star. Only one clasp is worn on the star, shown by a silver rosette when the ribbon alone is worn.
Eligibility
The Star was awarded for operational service in the Burma campaign between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945.
- One day of operational service qualified, after prior qualification for the 1939-1945 Star; a gallantry award, a mention in despatches, or death or disablement in the theatre qualified regardless of duration;
- It could not be held with the Pacific Star; a subsequent entitlement to the Pacific Star was represented by a Pacific clasp worn on the Burma Star's ribbon;
- As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Order of wear
No more than five of the Second World War campaign stars could be awarded to one person, six including the later Arctic Star; those who qualified for more wore a clasp on the ribbon of a star they held, naming a further star, with only one clasp worn on any star.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Burma Star awarded for?
Operational service in the Burma campaign between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945, after prior qualification for the 1939-1945 Star; one day's service sufficed.
Who was the Forgotten Army?
The Fourteenth Army, which fought the Burma campaign far from public attention, taking the name with pride; the Burma Star is their campaign award.
Why might it carry a Pacific clasp?
Because a recipient could not hold both the Burma and Pacific Stars: those who qualified for both wore the first earned and a clasp naming the second.
Did Australians receive it?
Australian service in Burma was smaller than in the Pacific, but Australians served with the air and naval forces of the campaign and qualified for the Star.
Is it named to the recipient?
Australian issues are impressed on the reverse with the recipient's details, unlike most Commonwealth stars.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No; it is a campaign star and carries no post-nominal.