WW2 Canadian The 1939 to 1945 Star Full Size Medal

The 1939 to 1945 Star is a military campaign medal awarded to personnel of the British Commonwealth, including Canadian forces, for operational service during the Second World War. Instituted in July 1945, the medal recognizes a minimum of six months of service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 in operational areas. The full-size medal features a six-pointed star made of yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse displays the Royal Cipher “GRI VI” (for King George VI) surmounted by a crown and encircled by the inscription “THE 1939-1945 STAR.” The reverse is plain. The ribbon, 32mm wide, is colored with dark blue, red, and light blue stripes, representing the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force respectively. This medal represents significant service during the entirety of the Second World War and is an important item for Canadian military history collections.