Berlin Airlift Honors A grateful nation honored the service personnel who participated in the airlift, primarily with three awards. The Air Medal was awarded for the completion of 50 flights into Berlin. An Oak Leaf Cluster was awarded for each 50 additional flights. The Medal for Humane Action was initially authorized by Congress on July 29, 1949, to honor the more than 50,000 service personnel who served for 120 consecutive days with, or in, direct support of the Airlift. Airmen killed while participating under the qualifying conditions were automatically awarded the medal posthumously. The Army of Occupation Medal with the Berlin Airlift Device was awarded to personnel credited with 92 consecutive days of service participating in the Airlift. Click here to return to the Berlin Airlift Overview.