The Pacific Star was awarded for entry into operational service in the Pacific Theatre of Operations between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945.
Navy and Merchant Navy personnel were eligible if the 1939-45 Star was earned by 6 months service or if they entered the Pacific Theatre between 2 March 1945 and 2 September 1945.
Civilian personnel
Australian civilian personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945 may also be eligible. The following official documentation can be used to support a claim:
- Certificate of Service or Certificate of Discharge (must contain enlistment and discharge dates)
- Defence Department Form 214 – Certificate of Release or discharge from Active Duty containing dates and ship names to which the member was assigned.
- United States Army Forces in Australia, Small Ships Supply Command Civilian Personnel Record Card. This card will contain the Assignment Record that lists the ships the member was assigned to and their period of duty for the assignment
- Form TCCP 50 – United States Army Supply Service Transfer/Reclassification Occurrence Report. This occurrence report will contain the ships the member was assigned to and their period of duty for the assignment
- pay card or individual earnings record.
The following associated documentation can be used in conjunction with the official documentation:
- certified copies of letters sent by the member. Must contain a postmark from a location within the operational area.
- certified copy of a diary written by member
- medical certificates showing the member attending a medical centre within the operational area.
Relevant documentation can be requested from United States Army Human Resources Command website.
Design
The 6–pointed star is yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words The Pacific Star.
Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.
The ribbon has central yellow and green stripes that represent the forests and the beaches of the Pacific, flanked dark blue, light blue and red stripes that represent the service of the Naval Forces and Merchant Navy, the Air Forces and the Armies.
The Burma clasp was issued for the Pacific Star.
When the ribbon is worn alone, a silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a clasp. The silver rosette emblem is not supplied by the Directorate Honours and Awards.
Source documents
Summary of Award Conditions of Campaign Stars, the Defence Medal and the War Medal (PDF, 172.19 KB)
Amendment to Conditions (Gazette S326) of 4 September 1996 (PDF, 388.97 KB)