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Army of Occupation Medal

 The Army of Occupation Medal (AOM): is awarded for 30 consecutive days service at a normal place of duty while assigned to or serving with the US Occupation Forces during the timeframe after World War II. Military service in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater between 9 May 1945 and 8 November 1945, and in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between 3 September 1945 and 2 March 1946, shall only be considered if the Service member received the applicable theater campaign medal for military service in the theater before the inclusive periods mentioned above.

Eligible locations and timeframes other than mentioned above include:

 1. Army of Occupation of Germany (Exclusive of Berlin): Military service between 9 May 1945 and 5 May 1955. Military service with a unit designated by the Department of the Army as "having met the requirements for, or the individual award of, the Berlin Airlift device" shall also qualify the Service member for the Army of Occupation Medal.
 2. Army of Occupation of Austria: Military service between 9 May 1945 and 27 July 1955.
 3. Army of Occupation of Berlin: Military service between 9 May 1945 and 2 October 1990.
 4. Army of Occupation of Italy: Military service between 9 May 1945 and 15 September 1947 in the compartment of Venezia Giulia e Zara, the Province of Udine, or with a unit in Italy designated by the Secretary of the Army.
 5. Army of Occupation of Japan: Military service between 3 September 1945 and 27 April 1952, in the main and offshore islands of Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, and BoninVolcano Islands. Military service that meets the requirements for the Korean Service Medal shall not be counted in determining eligibility.
 6. Army of Occupation of Korea: Military service between 3 September 1945 and 29 June 1949.

 The term "normal place of duty" excludes from eligibility personnel who were performing TDY, inspector, visitor, courier, escort, passenger, attached service, or merely in a transient status.

Authorized Devices:
 - The Berlin Airlift Device is awarded for members with 90 or more consecutive days' service between 26 June 1948 and 30 September 1949, while assigned or attached to a unit designated in Department of the Air Force orders for participation in the Berlin Airlift. The device will be centered on the medal or ribbon, with the aircraft's nose pointed upward at a 30-degree angle and toward the wearer's right shoulder.
 - The Army of Occupation Clasp is awarded to differentiate service in various occupation areas during World War II and is worn only on the suspension medal. No device is worn on the ribbon to denote possession of the clasp. The "Germany" clasp will be worn to represent service with US Occupation Forces in Germany, Italy, or Austria. The "Japan" clasp will be worn to represent service with US Occupation Forces in Japan or Korea.

Category of Award: U.S. Campaign and Service Award

Established by: The Secretary of War in 1946

Device(s): None

References:
AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, Pages 167 and 168
AR 600-8-22, Army Regulation, Military Awards, Pages 68 and 69
DoD Manual 1348.33-M, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, Pages 147 to 149
DoD Manual 1348.33, Volume 3, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: DoD-Wide Performance and Valor Awards, Page 65

Page updated May 10, 2017

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