Southwest Asia Service Medal

Infobox Military Award
name=Southwest Asia Service Medal


caption=Southwest Asia Service Medal
awarded_by=Department of Defense
type= Campaign Medal
eligibility=
status=not currently awarded
first_award=January 17, 1991
last_award=November 30, 1995
total=
posthumous=
recipients=
individual=
higher=Vietnam Service Medal
lower=Kosovo Campaign Medal
related=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
same=


caption2=Southwest Asia Service Ribbon & streamerThe Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The decoration is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War. The medal was designed by Nadine Russell of the Army's Institute of Heraldry.

The Southwest Asia Service Medal is awarded for military service between August 2, 1990 and November 30, 1995 for participation during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. To be awarded the decoration a service member must also have served in the geographical land areas of any of the following nations:

*Iraq
*Kuwait
*Saudi Arabia
*Oman
*Bahrain
*Qatar
*United Arab Emirates

Between January 17, 1991 and November 30, 1995, service members who performed duty "in support of" the Persian Gulf War are eligible to receive the Southwest Asia Service Medal if duty was performed in either Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, or Jordan.

For those service members who performed "home service" during the Persian Gulf War, such as support personnel in the United States, the Southwest Asia Service Medal is not authorized. The decoration is also not authorized for those who performed support of the Persian Gulf War from European or Pacific bases.

The Southwest Asia Service Medal is authorized four campaigns of service, with a maximum of three service stars (or "campaign stars") awarded with the medal. Each recipient of the medal should wear at least one campaign star. Authorized campaigns are as follows:

* Defense of Saudi Arabia: August 2, 1990 to January 16, 1991
* Liberation and Defense of Kuwait: January 17 to April 11, 1991
* Southwest Asia Cease-Fire: April 12, 1991 to November 30, 1995
* Operation Provide Comfort: June 1, 1992 to November 30, 1995

External links

* [http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Awards/SOUTHWEST%20ASIA%20SERVICE%20MEDAL1.html Southwest Asia Service Medal at TIOH]

ee also

*Gulf War Military Awards