The Navy Occupation Service Medal is a military award of the
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
which was "Awarded to commemorate the services of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel in the occupation of certain territories of the enemies of the U.S. during World War II"
and recognized those personnel who participated in the
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...
an and
Asia
Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an area ...
n occupation forces during, and following
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
. The medal was also bestowed to personnel who performed duty in
West Berlin
West Berlin (german: Berlin (West) or , ) was a political enclave which comprised the western part of Berlin during the years of the Cold War. Although West Berlin was de jure not part of West Germany, lacked any sovereignty, and was under mi ...
between 1945 and 1990.
No more than one Navy Occupation Service Medal may be awarded to an individual. The
Army of Occupation Medal
The Army of Occupation Medal is a military award of the United States military which was established by the United States War Department on 5 April 1946. The medal was created in the aftermath of the Second World War to recognize those who had ...
is the equivalent of the Navy Occupation Service Medal. No person could receive both the Army and Navy occupation medals.
[
]
Description
The medal was designed by A. A. Weinman. It depicts Neptune
Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun and the farthest known planet in the Solar System. It is the fourth-largest planet in the Solar System by diameter, the third-most-massive planet, and the densest giant planet. It is 17 times ...
riding a Hippocampus
The hippocampus (via Latin from Greek , 'seahorse') is a major component of the brain of humans and other vertebrates. Humans and other mammals have two hippocampi, one in each side of the brain. The hippocampus is part of the limbic system, a ...
with the words "Occupation Service". The reverse has the words "United States Navy" (or "United States Marine Corps") and is the same as that of the Dominican Campaign Medal
The Dominican Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was created on December 29, 1921. To be awarded the Dominican Campaign Medal, a servicemen must have performed active military dut ...
.
Ribbon devices
The medal is authorized two service clasps: "Europe" and "Asia". The clasps are rectangular with a rope border. If eligible, both clasps may be worn on the medal. The Berlin Airlift Device
The Berlin Airlift Device is miniature gold airplane that was awarded for wear on occupation medals and ribbons issued to United States Armed Forces service personnel for participation in or in direct support of, the Berlin airlift during the Co ...
is also authorized[ to those Naval personnel who have served 90 days or more with an accredited unit in support of the ]Berlin Airlift
The Berlin Blockade (24 June 1948 – 12 May 1949) was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War. During the multinational occupation of post–World War II Germany, the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway, road ...
between 1948 and 1949.[
]
Europe Clasp
The following geographical duty areas, and time frames of eligibility, qualified a service member to receive the Navy Occupation Service Medal with "Europe" clasp.[Navy Department General Order No. 255, January 28, 1948]
* Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
(November 8, 1945 to December 15, 1947)
* Trieste
Trieste ( , ; sl, Trst ; german: Triest ) is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is the capital city, and largest city, of the autonomous region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, one of two autonomous regions which are not subdivided into provi ...
(May 8, 1945 to October 25, 1954)
* Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
(May 8, 1945 to May 5, 1955) (exclusive of Berlin)
* Austria
Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...
(May 8, 1945 to October 25, 1955)
* West Berlin
West Berlin (german: Berlin (West) or , ) was a political enclave which comprised the western part of Berlin during the years of the Cold War. Although West Berlin was de jure not part of West Germany, lacked any sovereignty, and was under mi ...
(May 8, 1945 to October 3, 1990)
Service between May 9 and November 8, 1945 may not be considered unless the service member qualified for the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal prior to that date.[
]
Asia Clasp
The "Asia" clasp was authorized for any service performed on shore or on ships in the following geographical duty areas and time frames of eligibility.[
* Japanese territories (September 2, 1945 to April 27, 1952)
* ]Korea
Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...
and adjacent islands (September 2, 1945 to April 27, 1952)
Service prior to March 2, 1946 would not be credited toward eligibility for the Navy Occupation Service Medal unless the individual is already eligible for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal for service prior to September 2, 1945.[
Service after June 27, 1950 which is eligible towards the criteria for the ]Korean Service Medal
The Korean Service Medal (KSM) is a military award for service in the United States Armed Forces and was established November 8, 1950 by executive order of President Harry Truman. The Korean Service Medal is the primary US military award for se ...
may not be considered for the Occupation Service Medal.[
]
See also
*Army of Occupation Medal
The Army of Occupation Medal is a military award of the United States military which was established by the United States War Department on 5 April 1946. The medal was created in the aftermath of the Second World War to recognize those who had ...
*Medal for Humane Action
The Medal for Humane Action is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was created by an act (63 Stat. 477) of the United States Congress on July 20, 1949. The medal recognizes those military service members who performed extend ...
*Awards and decorations of the United States military
The United States Armed Forces awards and decorations are primarily the medals, service ribbons, and specific badges which recognize military service and personal accomplishments while a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. Such awards are a means t ...
References
External links
Navy History & Heritage Command-Navy Occupation Service Medal
SECNAVINST 1650.1H Chapter 8, § 3-831-5
{{United States Campaign Medals
United States service medals