U.S. "ARMY OF OCCUPATION" MEDAL - Germany- Airlift

[Gordon Craig]

Gentlemen,

I have questions about this medal and the awarding there of. It was obviously made for the Army of Occupation of Japan. There are examples of this medal with bars for both Japan and Germany. The one of primary interest here has a 'Germany" bar and a small airplane which is said to indicate the Berlin Airlift of 1948. This brings up two, and possibly more, questions.
1-Could this medal be awarded to anyone other that members of the US military serving in said army?
2-Could it be awarded to civilians working with/for the US Army of Occupation?
3-If the answer to 3 is yes, could it have been awarded to German citizens?
4-Since the first LSU units were raised to assist during the 1948 airlift could the members of this unit have been awarded this medal?
5-Were there any awards, other than the Long Service Awards created for the LSU/CSU units, that could have been, or were, awarded to LSU/CSU units?

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

The same medal with both the Germany and the Japan bar.

[Gordon Craig]

Gentlemen,

I think I have just answered my own question from WIKI. However, WIKI does not know all so I would still be interested in hearing from anyone who can answer any of the questions above. Some are still relavent.

Regards,

Gordon

Criteria
To be awarded the Army of Occupation Medal, a service member was required to have performed at least thirty consecutive days of military duty within a designated geographical area of military occupation. The Army of Occupation Medal was presented with a campaign clasp, denoting either European or Asian service, depending on the region in which occupation service had been performed. Campaign clasps were worn on the full sized medal only with no corresponding device when wearing the Army of Occupation Medal as a ribbon on a military uniform.[3]
In addition to the Germany clasp, for those service members who performed 92 consecutive days of military duty during the Berlin Airlift in 1948 and 1949, the Airlift Device is authorized as a device to the Army of Occupation Medal.[4]
[edit] Germany Clasp

• Germany (May 9, 1945 to May 5, 1955)[1]
• Austria (May 9, 1945 to July 27, 1955)[1]
• Italy (May 9, 1945 to September 15, 1947)[1]
• West Berlin (May 9, 1945 to October 2, 1990)[1]

[edit] Japan Clasp

• Japan (September 3, 1945 to April 27, 1952)[1]
• Korea (September 3, 1945 to June 29, 1949)[1]

[usmedalman]

Gordon, You have the 95% solution. The exact dates for the Berlin Airlift device were 26 JUNE 48 to 30 SEPT 49. Only members of th US military could qualify for the Army of Occupation Medal so even civilians working in conjunction with the airlift could not qualify for the medal or the Airlift device.

[Gordon Craig]

usmedalman,

Thanks for your comments.

Regards,

Gordon

[uscob]

Never saw a Medal with Clasp and Airlift Device. Also must say that the Clasp is an older Type and the C-54 is a modern one. In the next day's I'll try to find my ones to take a Pic.
Some Years ago I bought an old Manufacturers Stock from the early 50's with lot's of Stuff in, including Stuff I couldn't find in the Books like fire gilded Oak Leaf clusters and Stars.
There must be also an "Austria" Clasp left.