The United States Congress created the Medal for Humane Action on July 20, 1949. These military medals were presented to military personnel from all five United States military branches of service who performed extended duty in support of the Berlin Airlift. These military awards were given to service members who contributed 120 days of active duty in support of the Berlin Airlift between June of 1948 and September of 1949. Qualified candidates for these military ribbons and medals also were often eligible for the Army of Occupation Medal or the Navy Occupation Service Medal, depending on which service they were in. This is one of the few military decorations that the United States government ever created to honor a single campaign within a single war effort.
Since the Berlin Airlift was a one-time event, there are no devices issued to denote additional awards authorized for wear on the Medal for Humane Action. These military awards are worn below the World War II Victory Medal and above the Navy Occupation Service Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal in the order of precedence established for all military ribbons and medals. The Medal for Humane Action is generally available as Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Awards, and can be worn as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. Like most military medals, it is available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals, mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons. These military awards are also available in the sleek, new ultra thin military medals, mini-medals and ribbon racks that are gaining such widespread attention from serious military personnel because they look so much more trim and professional on their service uniforms and fatigues.