''Many support and staff personnel received these awards for their support of the Grenada operation outside of the actual combat zone or for service in Grenada after hostilities had ceased,'' the Army said. Awards by Unit Commanders

It indicated that the decisions on awards were made by unit commanders. The 82d Airborne Division led with 6,708 individual awards.

The Marine Corps reported granting 10 Purple Heart medals for combat deaths and wounds, with an additional 100 recommendations for bravery being studied. The Marines had about 1,000 men ashore in Grenada during the battle. However, the corps has approved a unit commendation for the full 22d Marine Amphibious Unit, including about 1,800 men who apparently remained on ships offshore.

The Navy said it has awarded seven Purple Hearts for combat deaths or wounds and added that ''to date, no individual award recommendations had been received at the Navy Department level.''

About 50 Navy men either went ashore on Grenada or flew aboard aircraft in what the Navy called a ''possible combat situation.'' In addition, the Navy estimated, 10,000 officers and sailors were aboard the carrier Independence and other ships that stood near the island during the battle. No Medals for Staff Officers Navy officials said Adm. Wesley McDonald, commander in chief of forces in the Atlantic, has made it clear there will be no individual medals for staff officers.

The Air Force, which had 800 ground personnel and air crewmen on Grenada or flying to and from the island, has not yet approved any individual awards. But it has laid down rules for eligibility that could bring medals to some officers and enlisted airmen who were stationed at the airport in Barbados, as well as airmen who played a direct role in the campaign.

All the services are expected to distribute Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals to the men and a few women who were on or near the island during the campaign. This could total some 19,600.

Pentagon officials said no comparative statistics on medal awards in other wars and conflicts were readily available.