History

The Medal for Humane Action was authorized by Act of Congress on July 20, 1949. The Bronze Medal was awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces in recognition of 120 consecutive days of service with or in direct support of the Berlin Airlift, which supplied West Berlin by air following the suspension of Traffic into the Soviet-Controlled West Berlin between June 26, 1948, and September 30, 1949, and saved thousands of civilians from starvation. Members of foreign Armed Forces and civilians who participated in the Berlin Airlift were also eligible for the award. The Medal was awarded to approximately over 50,000 service personnel.

Posthumous awards of the Medal were made to 28 personnel who were killed while serving in the Berlin Airlift.