
The Berlin Airlift Device is a miniature gold airplane that was awarded for wear on occupation medals and ribbons issued to
United States Armed Forces
The United States Armed Forces are the Military, military forces of the United States. U.S. United States Code, federal law names six armed forces: the United States Army, Army, United States Marine Corps, Marine Corps, United States Navy, Na ...
service personnel for participation in or in direct support of, the
Berlin airlift
The Berlin Blockade (24 June 1948 – 12 May 1949) was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War. During the multinational occupation of post–World War II Germany, the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway, roa ...
during the
Cold War
The Cold War was a period of global Geopolitics, geopolitical rivalry between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR) and their respective allies, the capitalist Western Bloc and communist Eastern Bloc, which lasted from 1947 unt ...
.
History
The Berlin Airlift Device is awarded for service of 92 consecutive days with a unit credited with participation in the Berlin airlift, or by competent field authority on an individual basis within the period June 26, 1948 to September 30, 1949 inclusive. U.S. Army orders announcing award of the Berlin Airlift device will specifically award the
Army of Occupation Medal to persons otherwise not eligible therefor. The device is a gold colored metal miniature of a
Douglas C-54 cargo airplane. It is worn centered on the suspension and
service ribbon
A medal ribbon, service ribbon or ribbon bar is a small ribbon, mounted on a small metal bar equipped with an attaching device, which is generally issued for wear in place of a medal when it is not appropriate to wear the actual medal. Each cou ...
of the Army of Occupation Medal or
Navy Occupation Service Medal. When worn on the suspension ribbon, the device is pinned above the ''Germany''
medal clasp.
Those awarded the Army of Occupation Medal or Navy Occupation Service Medal and the Berlin Airlift Device may also be entitled to the
Medal for Humane Action[Army Regulation, 600-8-22, Dec. 12, 2006, P. 66, 5--10.] awarded for at least 120 days of service or direct support thereof of the Berlin airlift. The 31 American service personnel and one Army civilian worker of the 101 persons who lost their lives mostly due to plane crashes during the Berlin airlift were awarded the Medal of Humane Action posthumously.
See also
*
United States military award devices
*
Awards and decorations of the United States military
Various medals, service ribbons, United States military award devices, ribbon devices, and specific Military badges of the United States, badges recognize military service and personal accomplishments of members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Such awa ...
* Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation
DA Pamphlet 672-1 page 533 for the list of Army units entitled to the Berlin Airlift Device
References
{{reflist
United States military award devices
Device