The Atlantic Star is a military campaign medal, instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945 for award to British Commonwealth forces who took part in the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest continuous campaign of the Second World War. Two clasps were instituted and could be worn on the medal ribbon, Air Crew Europe and France and Germany. The Second World War Stars On 8 July 1943, the Star (later named the Star) and the Africa Star became the first two campaign stars instituted by the United Kingdom, and by May 1945 a total of eight stars and nine clasps had been established to reward campaign service during the Second World War. One more campaign star, the Arctic Star, and one more clasp, the Bomber Command Clasp, were belatedly added on 26 February 2013, more than sixty-seven years after the end of the war. Including the Arctic Star and the Bomber Command clasp, no-one could be awarded more than six campaign stars, with five of the ten clasps denoting service that would have qualified for a second star. Only one clasp could be worn on any one campaign star. The maximum of six possible stars are the following: The 1939–1945 Star with, when awarded, either the Battle of Britain or the Bomber Command clasp. Only one of the Atlantic Star, Air Crew Europe Star or France and Germany Star. Those earning more than one received the first qualified for, with the second denoted by the appropriate ribbon clasp. The Arctic Star. The Africa Star with, if awarded, the first earned of clasps for North Africa 1942–43, 8th Army or 1st Army. Either the Pacific Star or Burma Star. Those earning both received the first qualified for, with the appropriate clasp to represent the second. The Italy Star. All recipients of campaign stars also received the War Medal. Since only the first of the Atlantic Star, Air Crew Europe Star and France and Germany Star to be earned could be awarded to any one individual, the possible Star and Clasp combinations for these three campaign stars are: The Atlantic Star with either the Air Crew Europe Clasp or the France and Germany Clasp. The Air Crew Europe Star with either the France and Germany Clasp or the Atlantic Clasp. The France and Germany Star with the Atlantic Clasp. As a result of the different date ranges involved, the earlier period