1. Description: Medal: The Bronze medal is 1 ¼ inches in diameter. The miniature medal
is 5/8 inch in diameter. On the obverse, in the center, a C-54 airplane (as viewed from above) within a wreath of wheat connected
at the bottom by a coat of arms. On the reverse, an eagle, shield and arrows from the seal of the Department of Defense, beneath
the words "FOR HUMANE ACTION" and above the inscription in four lines, "TO SUPPLY NECESSITIES OF LIFE TO THE PEOPLE OF BERLIN
GERMANY".2. Ribbon: The ribbon to the Medal for Humane Action is 1 3/8 inches in width and consists of the
following stripes: 9/32 inch black; 1/16 inch white; 9/32 inch teal blue; 3/64 inch white; 1/32 inch scarlet; 3/64 inch white;
9/32 inch teal blue; 1/16 inch white; and 9/32 inch black.3. Criteria: a. The Medal for Humane Action was
awarded for qualifying service between 26 June 1948 and 30 September 1949.
b. The medal commemorates military service in direct support
of the Berlin Airlift. It was awarded to members of the Armed Forces for 120 consecutive days of service in, or in direct
support of, the Berlin airlift, between 26 June 1948 and 30 September 1949, within the following prescribed boundaries:
(1) Northern Boundary - 54th
parallel north latitude.
(2) Eastern Boundary - 14th
meridian east longitude.
(3) Southern Boundary - 48th
parallel north latitude.
(4) Western Boundary - 5th meridian
west longitude.4. Components: The following are authorized components:
a. Medal (regular and miniature sizes): MIL-DTL-3943/232.
b. Ribbon (regular and miniature sizes): MIL-DTL-11589/85E5.
Background: a. The Medal for Humane Action was established by an Act of Congress (Public Law 178, 81st
Congress), 20 July 1949.
b. The medal was designed by Mr. Thomas Hudson Jones of
The Institute of Heraldry.
c. 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.
