| 2023 | Wolfgang Ischinger | German ambassador to the US (2001–2006)
Chairman of the Munich Security Conference (2008–2022) |
| 2019 | Dr. Christoph von Marschall | Journalist (Berliner Tagesspiegel) |
| 2018 | Prof. Dr. Susan Neiman | Philosopher and director of the Einstein Forum |
| 2017 | Dirk Nowitzki | Basketball player |
| 2016 | Friedrich Merz | Chairman of the Atlantik Brücke e.V. (2009–2019) |
| 2015 | Gail Halvorsen | Colonel, retired, US Air Force; Berlin Airlift protagonist |
| 2014 | Rüdiger Lentz | Director of the Aspen Institute Germany |
| 2013 | Prof. Dr. Werner Michael Blumenthal | Director of the Jewish Museum in Berlin (1997–2014) |
| 2012 | Philip Murphy | US ambassador to Germany (2009–2013) |
| 2011 | Fred B. Irwin | President, American Chamber of Commerce Germany |
| 2010 | Brigadegeneral Dr.-Ing. h.c.
Thomas Reiter | German astronaut, executive for research and development on space travel,
German Aerospace Center (DLR) |
| 2009 | Dr. Angela Merkel | German chancellor (2005–2021) |
| 2008 | Karsten D. Voigt | German Foreign Ministry Coordinator of German-American
Cooperation (1998–2009) |
| 2007 | Don F. Jordan | US journalist (Deutsche Welle TV, 1994–2005) |
| 2006 | Michel Perraudin | Board member of Adidas (1989–2005)
President, World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (2004–2007)
Co-founder of the Franconian International School (FIS) (1998) |
| 2005 | Jürgen Graf | Senior reporter at RIAS Berlin (1945–1964) |
| 2004 | Dr. Luther Frederick Carter | President, Francis Marion University (since 1999) |
| 2003 | General a.D. Wolfgang Altenburg | Inspector General of the Bundeswehr (1983–1986) |
| 2002 | Dr. Bernhard Vogel | Minister President of Thüringen (1992–2003) |
| 2001 | Prof. Dr. Meredith McClain | Director, Southwest Center for German Studies,
Texas Tech University (1981–2008) |
| 2000 | Robert H. Lochner | Spokesman for General Clay (1945–1949)
Director, RIAS Berlin (1961–1968) |
| 1999 | Dr. Walter Leisler Kiep | Chairman of the Atlantik-Brücke e.V. (1984–2000) |
| 1998 | Prof. Dr. Werner Weidenfeld | German Government Coordinator of German-American Cooperation (1987–1999) |
| 1997 | Dr. Edmund Stoiber | Minister President of Bavaria (1992–2007) |
| 1996 | General Klaus Naumann | Inspector General of the Bundeswehr (1991–1996) |
| 1995 | General John Shalikashvili | Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, US Army (1995–1997) |
| 1994 | Hans-Dietrich Genscher | Foreign minister of the Federal Republic of Germany (1974–1991) |
| 1993 | General John R. Galvin | Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, US Army (1987–1992) |
| 1992 | Admiral Dieter Wellershoff | Inspector General of the Bundeswehr (1986–1991) |
| 1991 | Vernon A. Walters | US ambassador to Germany (1989–1991) |
| 1990 | Berndt von Staden | Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the US (1963–1968) |
| 1989 | Lee H. Hamilton | US Congress member from Indiana (House of Representatives, 1964–1999) |
| 1988 | Dr. Dieter Kronzucker | Journalist and TV reporter/host (ARD and ZDF, 1965–1991) |
| 1987 | Walter J. Stoessel, Jr. | US ambassador to Germany (1976–1980) |
| 1986 | Prof. Dr. Karl Carstens | President of the Federal Republic of Germany (1979–1984) |
| 1985 | Eleanor Lansing Dulles | Diplomat, US State Department (“Berlin Desk”, 1949–1962) |
| 1984 | Manfred Rommel | Mayor of Stuttgart (1974–1996) |
| 1983 | Dr. Dr. h.c. Louis Ferdinand
Prinz von Preußen | Co-founder of the first German-American Club (Bad Kissingen, 1946) |
| 1982 | General George S. Blanchard | Commander-in-Chief, US Army Europe (1975–1977) |
| 1981 | Dr. Alfons Goppel | Minister President of Bavaria (1962–1977) |
| 1980 | John J. McCloy | US High Commissioner for Germany (1949–1952) |
The Federation awards the Lucius D. Clay Medal each year to a German or American individual who has made an outstanding contribution to furthering German-American relations and friendship. The medal is made of pure silver.
The obverse of the round medal shows the portrait and the name “General Lucius D. Clay” and the dates of his birth and death. The reverse bears the inscription “For outstanding contributions to German-American friendship” in the center. The medal is awarded annually by the president of the VDAC at a ceremony commemorating German-American Day.
General Clay
As military governor of the US occupation zone in Germany from 1947 to 1949, General Lucius Dubignon Clay (1897–1978) played a major part in organizing the Berlin Airlift and founding the VDAC. Impressed by his experience and his commitment to the young Federal Republic of Germany, President John F. Kennedy appointed him to be his personal advisor in 1961 and 1962 on matters relating to Berlin. In 1973, Clay received the Konrad Adenauer Prize of the Deutschland-Stiftung. The general donated to the Federation the DM 32,000 that came with the award. Since 1980, the VDAC has used these funds to present an award in his name.
Chairman of the Munich Security Conference (2008–2022)
Thomas Reiter
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Cooperation (1998–2009)
President, World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (2004–2007)
Co-founder of the Franconian International School (FIS) (1998)
Texas Tech University (1981–2008)
Director, RIAS Berlin (1961–1968)
Prinz von Preußen