Veterans Affairs Canada announced today that it is officially recognizing the award of the Arctic Star.
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=844189
British Arctic Star now a recognized military honour in Canada
Reference N14032E
April 30, 2014 – Ottawa, Ontario – Veterans Affairs Canada
The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today announced that Canada’s eligible Veterans can now wear the Arctic Star in conjunction with other Second World War honours.
On the recommendation of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, recently accepted the addition of the British Arctic Star to the Canadian Order of Precedence. This will allow Canadians who participated in the Arctic convoys during the Second World War to accept and wear the new honour.
The Arctic Star, a military honour unveiled by the Government of the United Kingdom in 2012, is granted for operational service of any length north of the Arctic Circle from September 3, 1939, to May 8, 1945. It is available to all Commonwealth Forces including Canada.
Applications can be printed online. To receive a copy of the application form or more information on the Arctic Star, contact Veterans Affairs Canada by calling, toll free, 1-866-522-2122 or by sending an e-mail to
awards-citations@vac-acc.gc.ca.
Quick Facts
The Arctic Star commemorates and recognizes the particular severity of the conditions experienced by those who served in the Arctic during the Second World War.
During the Second World War, Allied convoys sailed across the Arctic Ocean to deliver vital supplies to Russia. Commonly known as the Murmansk Run, ships departed from North American ports and sailed to the northern Soviet Union in an effort to assist them in their fight against Germany. Many Canadians served on these ships.
Quotes
"Canadian Veterans of the Second World War who served as part of the convoys in the Arctic endured extreme and gruelling conditions. I am pleased that their efforts are being officially recognized and honoured with the Arctic Star medal in Canada."
The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs
"The Royal Navy is delighted that the brave men of the Canadian Armed Forces who fought valiantly alongside their Royal Navy cousins during the bitterly cold and dangerous Arctic convoys are being awarded the recognition they so duly deserve."
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