WW2 medal ribbon chart

This WW2 medal ribbon chart matches each British Second World War campaign ribbon to its medal. Three to learn first: dark blue, red and light blue is the 1939 to 1945 Star. Flame, green and black is the Defence Medal. Red, white and blue with a narrow red centre is the War Medal. The rest are below, in the official order of wear.

All descriptions are GOV.UK’s own. Colours fade, so judge the pattern, not just the shade.

WW2 campaign ribbon chart

In order of wear, left to right as worn:

We have not found an official description of the Arctic Star ribbon, so we leave it out rather than guess.

How to tell similar ribbons apart

Three pairs catch people out.

War Medal or France and Germany Star? Both are red, white and blue. The War Medal has a narrow red centre and red edges. The France and Germany Star has a central red stripe with white and blue stripes of equal width.

1939 to 1945 Star or Pacific Star? Both have dark and light blue. The Pacific Star has a wide green centre with a yellow stripe. The 1939 to 1945 Star has no green at all.

Atlantic Star or Italy Star? Both include green and white. The Atlantic Star’s stripes are shaded and watered, blending into one another, with blue. The Italy Star is red, white and green, clearly divided.

Which way round?

Some ribbons have a right way up. GOV.UK says:

• the 1939 to 1945 Star, Africa Star and Pacific Star are worn with the dark blue stripe furthest from the left shoulder
• the Atlantic Star is worn with the blue edge furthest from the left shoulder

So a ribbon sewn the wrong way round is a clue it was mounted by someone unfamiliar with the rules. It is not proof of anything.

What order do WW2 ribbons go in?

The London Gazette published the current Order of Wear on 11 January 2019. For the Second World War it lists:

1. 1939-1945 Star
2. Atlantic Star
3. Arctic Star
4. Air Crew Europe Star
5. Africa Star
6. Pacific Star
7. Burma Star
8. Italy Star
9. France and Germany Star
10. Defence Medal
11. War Medal

Gallantry awards and orders come before campaign medals. Long service medals come after. If his bar has a ribbon not listed above, it may be a gallantry award: our gallantry awards guide describes the common ones.

Emblems on the ribbon

Bronze oak leaf. On the War Medal ribbon, a single bronze oak leaf signifies a Mention in Despatches, a King’s Commendation for brave conduct, or a King’s Commendation for valuable service in the air, for Second World War service. The London Gazette set this out in 1951. If the War Medal was not granted, the emblem was worn directly on the coat, after any ribbons.

Clasps. Some stars came with clasps, such as “Battle of Britain” or “Bomber Command” on the 1939 to 1945 Star, or “8th Army” on the Africa Star. A clasp also names a second star that the rules did not allow him to receive. See how to identify WW2 medals.

Did merchant seamen wear the same ribbons?

Yes. GOV.UK’s qualifying details for merchant seamen say the 1939 to 1945 Star ribbon is the same for all services. Its dark blue stripe marks the Naval Forces, the Merchant Navy and the Fishing Fleet. See Merchant Navy WW2 records.

A ribbon bar but no medals?

Then the medals may have been lost, or never claimed. If the medals were never issued, next of kin can still apply. See how to claim WW2 medals.

Then match the ribbons to his record. A Burma Star ribbon points you to the war in the Far East. A France and Germany Star sends you to the war diaries for North West Europe.

FAQ: WW2 medal ribbons

What is the red, white and blue WW2 ribbon?

Usually the War Medal 1939-1945. GOV.UK describes it in the colours of the Union flag: a narrow central red stripe, narrow white stripes, wider blue stripes, then red. The France and Germany Star also uses red, white and blue, but in stripes of equal width.

Which WW2 ribbon is orange and green?

The Defence Medal. GOV.UK describes it as flame-coloured in the centre, flanked by green stripes, with narrow black stripes. The green stands for Britain's green and pleasant land, the flame for enemy attacks and the black for the black-out.

Which WW2 ribbon is sandy coloured?

The Africa Star. GOV.UK describes it as pale buff, for the desert, with a central red stripe and one narrow stripe each of dark and light blue.

What order do WW2 ribbons go in?

The 2019 Order of Wear in the London Gazette lists: 1939-1945 Star, Atlantic Star, Arctic Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Burma Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, then War Medal.

What does an oak leaf on a WW2 ribbon mean?

A single bronze oak leaf on the War Medal ribbon signifies a Mention in Despatches, or a King's Commendation for brave conduct or for valuable service in the air, for Second World War service.

Were WW2 campaign medals named?

No. GOV.UK says WW2 campaign medals were issued unnamed. A ribbon or medal alone will not tell you who wore it, so look for boxes, slips or letters that came with it.

Can I still claim his WW2 medals?

Next of kin can still apply for unclaimed WW2 medals. See our guide to claiming WW2 medals.

Sources

Checked 31 October 2026.

1. GOV.UK: Medals, campaigns, descriptions and eligibility (archived 2015)
2. GOV.UK: Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility
3. GOV.UK: Qualifying details for campaign medals for merchant seamen
4. The London Gazette, issue 62529, 11 January 2019: Order of Wear
5. The London Gazette, supplement 39294, 27 July 1951: Note on Mentions in Despatches