Austria may 9, 1945 july 27, 1955 and west berlin may 9, 1945 october 2, 1990. Military service in the europeanafricanmiddle eastern theater between may 9, 1945 and nov. Bcof was responsible for supervising demilitarisation and the. Occupation service medal army, navy, marine display. The ribbon design uses the color black to represent germany and the color red to represent japan.
Aug 23, 2010 the obverse shows the remagen bridge abutments, symbolic of europe. Post ww ii occupation of north china usmc marine 1945. Fraser, was selected to be flown to kyushu, southern most of the four main japanese islands. Nicknamed the gefrierfleischorden, or frozen meatmedal, the eastern front medal was awarded to three million. A brass clasp with the name germany inscribed was authorized to be worn over the cloth above the medal. Many of the pictures are of the area before and after the atomic bomb. Army of occupation medal air forces personnel center display. It was ended by the signing of the peace treaty with japan 1951. Germany excluding berlin between 9 may 1945 and 5 may 1955. The army occupation medal was awarded for 30 days consecutive service while assigned to. Japan surrendered to the allies on august 14, 1945, when the japanese government notified the allies that it had accepted the potsdam declaration.
Pictorial arrowhead occupation of japan wwii 1945 includes. The army occupation medal was established by war department circular 102, dated 5 april 1946. The reverse features mount fuji in the background and a pair of japanese junks over a wave with an inscription reading 1945. To be awarded the army of occupation medal, a service member was required to have performed at least thirty consecutive days of military duty within a designated geographical area of military occupation. Dates of eligibility include any consecutive 30 days from 9 may 1945 and 5 may 1955. Theoretically an international occupation, in fact it was carried out almost entirely by u. The medal recognizes those members of the united states military who served in the european occupation force following the close of world war i. The 1 st battalion, 127 th infantry, commanded by lt. Occupation of japan, 194552 military occupation of japan by the allied powers after its defeat in world war ii. Adjacent to the area of australian responsibility were prefectures occupied by the 2 new zealand ef japan, the british and indian division brindiv, and further away the us 8th army. Backgroundthis medal was established in 1946 and the order has. The world war ii occupation service medal aom, nom, mcom is a decoration awarded to members of the u. Occupation service medal army, navy, marine go to top of page. World war ii really began when the japanese army seized manchuria in 1931.
The medal is bronze and features an image of germanys remagen bridge and an inscription reading army of occupation. Learn more about the occupation of japan in this article. A guide to researching the allied occupation of japan. Army occupation medal wwii army surplus world army. Japanese historythe american occupation of japan wikibooks. To be awarded the army of occupation medal, a service member was required to have performed at least thirty. The medal was designed by the army heraldic section. Illustrated by virginia reyes of the defense media activitysan antonio. Aug 28, 2015 the allied occupation of japan is more than a mere military mission. The obverse shows the remagen bridge abutments, symbolic of europe. Ship world wide and will combine shipping for multiple purchases.
The allied occupation of japan refers to the military and political control of japan by the united states and its allies following world war ii, a period of over six years from japan s formal acceptance of the potsdam declaration on august 15, 1945 to the implementation of the san francisco peace treaty on april 28, 1952. Wwii army of occupation medal full size enlarge instittued 1946 to members of the army or air force for 30 consecutive days of service in occupied territories from 1945 to. The reverse shows mount fujiyama, with a cloud near the top, in the background, symbolic of asia. The roman god of the sea, neptune sitting atop a horse and sea serpent in a charge, neptune holds the warring trident in his right hand. He commanded 50,000 men of the iii marine amphibious corps that deployed to northeastern chinas hopeh and shantung provinces between 1945 and 1949. Army of occupation medal air forces personnel center. This is the complete text of a published document prepared in 1946 by historians assigned to the g3 section of the general headquarters of the united states army forces pacific to provide a preliminary chronology of the initial occupation of japan following the e.
The army of occupation medal was awarded for 30 days consecutive service while assigned to. Operation beleaguer was a major united states military operation led by maj. During the occupation period, japanese soldiers and civilians from abroad were repatriated to japan, arms industries were dismantled, and political. Americas bombers and submarines had destroyed 43% of the buildings in 63 of japan s 66 largest cities, 30% of all housing in the country, and 80% of japan s ships.
Japan, right above a scene of a bridge and two towers. It includes pictures of the area, the men, and the japanese people. Crew from hms swifture arrive at nagasaki as part of the british commonwealth occupation force in japan. Included is a uniform patch, 45 original photographs plus about 10 doubles of the photographs, 3 post cards from japan and a pictorial booklet of the 2nd marine division. May 08, 2016 crew from hms swifture arrive at nagasaki as part of the british commonwealth occupation force in japan. Below these is a symbolic wave, and the date 1945 appears at the bottom. Japanese officials left for manila on august 19 to meet macarthur and to be briefed on his plans for the occupation. Nicknamed the gefrierfleischorden, or frozen meatmedal, the. Vintage ww ii army occupation medal japan bar set in box. Army of occupation military ribbon and military medal. Army of occupation service medal, world war 2 military medal. The main australian occupation component was the 34th infantry brigade, which arrived in early 1946 and was made up of the 65th, 66th, and 67th battalions. In japan, military government became a solely american responsibility, though subject to suggestions of an 11power allied council.
The army occupation medal wwii is available in standard full size, miniature, hat pin and lapel pin size. Even though there was no armed resistance after japanese surrender, the. Description of the navy occupation service medal, world war 2. Germanys top military decoration was the knights cross ritterkreuz, which was awarded nearly seven thousand times from 1939 to 1945 to both enlisted and nonenlisted men. In response to the experiences of world war ii, a new convention covering military occupation was. On the following day, emperor hirohito announced japan s unconditional surrender on the radio the gyokuonhoso. Foreign minister shigemitsu mamoru and army chief of staff general umezu yoshijiro signed the surrender instrument by which japan agreed to the potsdam agreement and surrendered its rights of sovereignty to the. Even at the level of the individual soldier, the japanese demonstated a shocking capacity for fanatical and aggressive action in battle, incredible endurance, and an unbelievable ability to endure pain, fatigue, and all manner of suffering on campaign. A rather beautiful medal, this army of occupation medal was given to soldiers stationed in japan after the end of the war. The medal recognizes those who had performed occupation service in either germany, italy, austria, or japan.
The medal was created in the aftermath of the second world war to recognize those who had performed occupation service in either germany, italy, austria, or japan. On the obverse, are the abutments of the remagen bridge with the words army of occupation inscribed above. As a military mission, its major functions are virtually completed. World war ii military medals and awards identify medals. Details of the navy occupation service medal, world war 2 service medal of the united states military. The war was over, but the problem of the disarming and occupation of japan remained. Verification from the department of the army regarding the authorization of the 6th infantry division members to have been awarded the army of occupation medal for qualifying service as a part of the army of occupation japan in korea if service was for 30 days in korea and between september 3, 1945 and april 29, 1949. The original army of occupation medal was intended only for members of the. This medal was established in 1946 and the order has been amended several times to cover areas not originally authorized. It was awarded for service at a normal post of duty while assigned to the army of occupation beginning with the first day after the end of world war ii. At the top is the inscription army of occupation in two lines.
The medal features the remagen bridge and the infamous towers on one side and mount fuji on the other. List of books and articles about allied occupation of japan. Military service between may 9, 1945 and september 15, 1947 in the compartment of venezia giulia ezara, the province of udine, or with a unit in italy designated by the secretary of the army. In 1945, rice production reached only 59% of the 1937 harvest, and taiwan and korea, major sources of imported rice, were no longer part of japan s empire. Occupation of japan 194552, military occupation of japan by the allied powers after its defeat in world war ii. Soldiers serving 90 days in occupation duties qualified for this medal. The 32 d red arrow infantry division had an early part in this final phase of the long struggle. Soldiers who served in the army of occupation between 9 may and 8 november 1945 were also required to have earned the europeanafricanmiddle eastern campaign medal to qualify for this award.
The army of occupation medal was awarded for qualifying service in the countries listed below between the inclusive dates shown. It was issued in both army and navy versions and had bars awarded for germany and japan. The iron cross, which dated from 18, was earned by some 2,500,000 men during world war ii. The announcement was the emperors first ever planned radio broadcast and the first time most citizens of japan ever heard their. Thomas hudson jones and the first medal was presented to general eisenhower on 2 april 1947. The allied occupation of japan is more than a mere military mission.
The far eastern commission and allied council for japan were also established to supervise the occupation of japan. Germany and japan bar attachments are allowed on medals only. On september 2, 1945, japanese representatives signed the official instrument. Bcof was responsible for supervising demilitarisation and the disposal of japan s war. Occupation of japan article the united states army. For his service he received the army of occupation medal, asiatic pacific campaign. The army of occupation medal was established by war department general orders number 32 1946.
A germany bar device is worn with the medal by personnel who served in the following locations in europe during the accompanied dates. Service between 9 may and 8 november 1945 will count only if the eame campaign medal was awarded for service prior to 9 may 1945. Wwii army of occupation medal full size enlarge instittued 1946 to members of the army or air force for 30 consecutive days of service in occupied territories from 1945 to 1955 and berlin from 1945 to 1990. On the reverse, fujiyama with a low hanging cloud over two japanese junks above a wave scroll and the date 1945. Germany may 9, 1945 to may 5, 1955 austria may 9, 1945 to july 7, 1955 berlin may 9, 1945 to october 2, 1990 italy may 9, 1945 to september 15, 1947 japan september 3, 1945 to april 27, 1952. Military who served in specific regions of europe or asia following the end of wwii.
The army of occupation of germany medal is a service medal of the united states military which was created by the 55 stat. The allied occupation of japan began when japanese representatives, aboard the american battleship missouri, surrendered to the united states and its allies on september 2, 1945. The army of occupation medal was awarded for qualifying service in the countries listed below between the inclusive. It is awarded for 30 consecutive days at a normal post of duty on assignment to the armies of occupation. On the obverse, the remagen bridge abutments below the words army of occupation. Army of occupation with germany clasp audie murphy. In response to the experiences of world war ii, a new convention covering military occupation was signed in geneva in 1949. The army of occupation medal is a united states military award established by the united states war department on 5 april 1946 in the aftermath of the second world war. Veterans oral history project the smithtown library. Awarded to us army personnel with at least thirty days consecutive service on assignments in germany excluding berlin from may 9th, 1945 to may 5th, 1955, austria between may 9th, 1945 and july 27th, 1955, berlin between may 9th, 1945 and october 2nd, 1990, italy between may 9th, 1945 and september 15th, 1947, japan between september 3rd. Description of the navy occupation service medal, world.
The allied occupation of japan refers to the military and political control of japan by the united states and its allies following world war ii, a period of over six years from japans formal acceptance of the potsdam declaration on august 15, 1945 to the implementation of. 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. This is the complete text of a published document prepared in 1946 by historians assigned to the g3 section of the general headquarters of the united states army forces pacific to provide a preliminary chronology of the initial occupation of japan following the end of world war ii. Langs prologue article about dog record books of each canine who enrolled in the army and marine corps. Shop top fashion brands accessories at free delivery and returns possible on eligible purchases. On the reverse, is mount fuji with a low hanging cloud over two japanese junks above a wave and the inscribed date 1945. Army of occupation medal for sale war collectibles.