History
The Pacific Star, instituted in May 1945, was awarded for operational service in the Pacific theatre between 8 December 1941, the day Japan attacked Hong Kong and Malaya, and 2 September 1945, the Japanese surrender. It covered service at sea, on land and in the air across Malaya, Singapore, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Sumatra and the wider Pacific, after prior qualification for the 1939-1945 Star.
It could not be held together with the Burma Star: a recipient who qualified for both wore the first earned and a Burma clasp for the second. Qualification could be earned in a single day of operational service, or immediately by a gallantry award, a mention in despatches, or death or disablement in the theatre. For Australia the Pacific Star is one of the defining awards of the war closest to home. 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 PACIFIC 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
Central green edged with red, with service stripes.
The ribbon has a broad central green band edged with red, with narrow central stripes of dark blue, light blue and yellow, the green for the forests and ocean of the Pacific and the stripes for the three services.
Clasps
One clasp, Burma, was instituted for the Pacific Star, worn on the ribbon.
Burma
Worn by recipients of the Pacific Star who also qualified for the Burma 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 Pacific theatre between 8 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 Burma Star; a subsequent entitlement to the Burma Star was represented by a Burma clasp worn on the Pacific 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 Pacific Star awarded for?
Operational service in the Pacific theatre between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945, after prior qualification for the 1939-1945 Star; one day's service sufficed.
What area did it cover?
Service at sea, on land and in the air across Malaya, Singapore, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Sumatra and the wider Pacific against Japanese forces.
Why might it carry a Burma clasp?
Because a recipient could not hold both the Pacific and Burma Stars: those who qualified for both wore the first earned and a clasp naming the second.
Could it be earned in a single day?
Yes, one day of operational service qualified, and a gallantry award, a mention in despatches, or death or disablement in the theatre qualified regardless of time served.
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.