ESTABLISHING LEGISLATION
The Medal for Humane Action was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 178, 81st Congress) on July 20, 1949.
EVENT COMMEMORATED
The Medal for Humane Action commemorates military service in direct support of the Berlin Airlift. It was awarded to members of the Armed Forces for 120 days service in, or in direct support of, the Berlin Airlift between June 26, 1948 and September 30, 1949, within the following prescribed boundaries:
- Northern Boundary: 54th parallel north latitude
- Eastern Boundary: 14th meridian east longitude
- Southern Boundary: 48th parallel north latitude
- Western Boundary: 5th meridian west longitude
ORDER OF PRECEDENCE
The Medal for Humane Action takes precedence after the Army of Occupation Medal (or the Naval Occupation Service Medal) and before the National Defense Service Medal.
DEVICES
No devices were authorized for this medal.
DESIGNER
The Medal for Humane Action was designed by Thomas Hudson Jones (1892-1969).
First Recipient
The identity of the first recipient of the Medal for Humane Action was not recorded.
DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM
Obverse
In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, a C-54 airplane (as viewed from above) is shown within a wreath of wheat connected at the bottom by a coat of arms. The C-54 is the type of aircraft used in support of the Berlin airlift, and the coat of arms is that of the City of Berlin. The wreath of wheat represents the "staff of life" and thereby the necessities of life alluded to on the reverse of the medal.
Reverse
In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, the eagle, shield and arrows from the seal of the Department of Defense are shown beneath the words FOR HUMANE ACTION and above the inscription in four lines, TO SUPPLY NECESSITIES OF LIFE TO THE PEOPLE OF BERLIN GERMANY.
Ribbon
The ribbon to the Medal for Humane Action consists of a central stripe of median blue bisected by a red pinstripe edged in white. The ribbon is edged in black, which is separated from the medium blue by narrow white stripes. Red, white and black are the colors of the Coat of Arms of the City of Berlin; the blue, white and red represent the U.S. colors. The blue also alludes to the skies as the field of action for the Berlin Airlift; the arrangement of the colors inside the black edges also suggests the Distinguished Flying Cross, alluding to the skill and devotion exhibited by the aircrews involved in the difficult airlift operations.