Military Star

This article is about the Irish military award. For star of the military, see war hero. For the Belgian military award, see Service Star (Congo). For the U.S. military award, see service star.
Military Star
An Bonn Chosantóirí Siochána na Náisiún Aontaithe
Military Star ribbon
TypeMilitary decoration
Awarded forBeing killed or fatally wounded as a direct result of a hostile action or act perpetrated by an enemy, opposing armed force, hostile belligerent or other party, involving the use of firepower or other lethal weapon, in the course of service on approved military duties.
Presented by Ireland
EligibilityMembers of the Permanent Defence Force and to members of the Chaplaincy Service
StatusCurrently awarded
Precedence
Next (higher)United Nations Peacekeepers Medal[1]
Next (lower)United Nations Medals[1]

The Military Star (Irish: An Réalt Míleata) is a military decoration awarded to those members of the Irish Defence Forces or Chaplaincy Service who were killed or mortally wounded in the line of duty as a result of hostile action by an armed enemy. Initially only awarded for service related deaths that occurred outside of Ireland, in 2012 the award criteria were changed to allow awards for those killed in Ireland.

Appearance

The medal is bronze and takes the shape of an eight-pointed star 35 mm (1.4 in) wide. The obverse of the medal depicts Cúchulainn in death in the centre of the medal. The reverse is blank so that the deceased soldier's name, army number, and date and location of death may be engraved.[1]

The medal hangs from a ribbon 35 mm (1.4 in) wide. The ribbon is purple with 2 mm (0.079 in) black stripes at the edge. In the centre is a white stripe 8 mm (0.31 in) wide bisected by a 2 mm (0.079 in) stripe of orange. The white stripe is bordered by 4 mm (0.16 in) green stripes on either side.[1]

The ribbon is suspended at the top from a bronze bar bearing the word, in relief, REMEMBRANCE.[1]

The medal and ribbon were designed by Corporal Dan O'Connell, Defence Forces Ceremonial (now retired).

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Medals of the Irish Defence Forces" (PDF). Defence Forces Printing Press. October 2010. pp. 26, 98. Retrieved 16 January 2017.