Navy Occupation Service

The United States War Department created the Army of Occupation Medal in 1946 after World War II to recognize occupation service by United States military personnel in either Germany or Japan. These military medals were originally intended for only United States Army personnel, but by 1948, these military awards were also being presented to United States Air Force service persons. The United States Navy and Marine Corps have an equivalent award called the Navy Occupation Service Medal, and both of these military decorations are commonly referred to as World War II Occupation Medals.

The service requirements for this commendation are thirty days of consecutive military duty within the designated area of military occupation. A Campaign Clasp was issued to denote either European or Asian service. Campaign Clasps are for full-sized medals only, with no corresponding device for military ribbons. Since West Berlin was an occupied territory until the unification of Germany, the Arm of Occupation Medal was issued to military personnel for over forty-five years, making it one of the longest running active military awards ever given.

The Army and Navy Occupation Medals are located below the World War II Victory Medal and above the Medal for Humane Action in the order of precedence established for all military medals and ribbons.

The Army and Navy Occupation Medal is generally available as Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, and Coast Guard medals and ribbons, and can be worn as traditional full size military medals, ribbons and lapel pins. Like most military awards, it is available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals and ribbons, but 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 service uniforms and fatigues.