Commonwealth

The South Atlantic Medal was introduced to recognise service during the conflict that occured between British and Argentinian forces on the Falkland and South Georgia Islands. The date period being 2 April to 12 July 1982. The curpo-nickel medal is 36 millimetres in diameter. The obverse side has the crowned profile of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse side has a laurel weath below the arms of the Falkland Islands with "SOUTH ATLANTIC MEDAL" inscribed around the top-half of the reverse side. The ribbon is composed of a watery blue, white and green; a similar arrangement to the World War Two Atlantic Star medal. No clasps were issued with the medal, but rosette was used to indicate a person's presence in the immediate Falkland's area. Without Rosette: A period of service of 30 days or more in the South Atlantic, south of 7 degress South and north of 60 degrees South, between the inclusive dates of 2 April and 12 June 1982. The 30 days service period did not have to be consective days. With Rosette: A period of service of 1 or more days in the Falkland Islands, or their South Atlantic dependencies, or in a zone between 35 degrees South and 60 degrees South, or in any operational aircraft sorties out of Ascension Island between the inclusive dates of 2 April and 14 June 1982; the 14 June being the date of the Argentine Forces ceased fire on East Falkland.