What are often referred to as Medals are comprised of several major categories. A complete list of the categories of Orders, Decorations, and Medals which make up the generic term Medals can be seen here.
The following are Campaign Stars and Medals (1939 - 1945), a complete listing of which may be seen here.
The Star was awarded for six months service on active operations for Army and Navy, and two months for active air-crew between 02 September 1939 and 08 May 1945 (Europe) or 02 September 1945 (Pacific)
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The Atlantic Star
The Star was awarded for six months (180 days) service afloat or 2 months (60 days) for air-crew service between 03 September 1939 and 08 May 1945 (Europe) or 02 September 1945 (Pacific). The Atlantic Star may not be awarded unless the 1939-1945 Star has been qualified for by 180 days' operational service afloat or by 2 months (60 days) service for airborne service. Therefore, the total requirement is twelve months (360 days) service afloat or four months (120 days) for airbourne service.
The Star was awarded for two months of operational flying from theUK over Europe between 03 September 1939 and 05 June 1944. It was not awarded after D-Day. The Air Crew Europe Star may not be awarded until the 1939-1945 Star has been qualified for by 60 days service in an air operational unit. The total requirement to earn both stars is four months (120 days).
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The Star was awarded for one day or more of service in France, Belgium, Holland or Germany between 06 June 1944 (D-Day) and 08 May 1945.
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This medal was usually awarded to Canadians for six months service in Britain between 03 September 1939 and 08 May 1945
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The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal is granted to persons of any rank in the Naval, Military or Air Forces of Canada who voluntarily served on Active Service and have honourably completed eighteen months (540 days) total voluntary service from September 3, 1939 to March 1, 1947.
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The War Medal was awarded to all full-time personnel of the armed forces and merchant marines for serving for 28 days between 03 September 1939 and 02 September 1945. In the Merchant Navy, the 28 days must have been served at sea.
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Information on Orders and Decorations, click here.
Information on Efficiency and Long Service Decorations and Medals, click here.
