[4] The design, attributed to HM the Queen, was based on the ribbon for the British Second World War campaign medal, the Atlantic Star,[3] itself devised by her father King George VI.

[7] The medal without rosette was awarded for 30 days continuous or accumulated service between 7° and 60° South latitude between 2 April and 14 June 1982 (completing no later than 12 July 1982).

[4] As a result of the 2012 Independent Medal Review conducted by Sir John Holmes, from 1 October 2014 the qualifying period for the medal without rosette was extended to 21 October 1982, the date modifications were completed to RAF Stanley airfield allowing operation of RAF Phantoms as personnel on the islands post 14 June remained under threat of potential re invasion and the islands required due attention due to mines, booby traps, burial parties and general post conflict rehabilitation.

[citation needed] Those mentioned in despatches during the campaign wear a bronze oak leaf on the medal ribbon.

Members of the Merchant Navy and civilians were also eligible, for example civil servants serving in Ascension Island, NAAFI staff, war artist Linda Kitson[3] and journalists attached to the armed forces, including Michael Nicholson.