This was instituted in 1949 to recognise participation in the Berlin Airlift; it was awarded for 120 consecutive days' service (or shorter if the award was made posthumously and the loss of life was while participating in the Berlin airlift, or as a direct result of participating therein) in, or in support of, the airlift: 26 June 1948 to 30 September 1949. Individuals attached to the following units participated.

Navy::	Air Transport Squadron SIX
	Air Transport Squadron EIGHT
	GCA Unit TWENTY-ONE
	GCA Unit TWENTY-EIGHT
	GCA Unit THIRTY-ONE
	Headquarters Company, Staff of COMNAV Germany
USAF	Any Air Force unit approved by Chief of Staff, USAF, as participating in direct support of Berlin Airlift (Operation VITTLES)

The operation boundaries of the Berlin airlift were:

Northern boundary - 54th parallel north latitude
Eastern boundary - 13th meridian east longitude
Southern boundary - 48th parallel north latitude
Western boundary - 5th meridian west longitude.