The Africa Star was a decoration of the British Empire that was issued between 1939 and 1945 for service in the North African theater of the Second World War. The Africa Star was one of eight campaign star medals issued; British uniform regulations permitted the wearing of only five campaign star medals simultaneously. The Pacific equivalent of the decoration was known as the Pacific Star.
The decoration was mainly issued by the United Kingdom but also by other countries of the British Commonwealth which had provided troops to the North African theater. The Africa Star was also bestowed upon members of foreign militaries, but on a more limited basis.
In the United States military, the Africa Star was primarily bestowed to the senior military leadership which had planned and executed Operation Torch. General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower was one such senior American general who was presented the Africa Star by the British.
