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Authorization. E.O. 12754 of 12 March 1991.

Eligibility Requirements

(1) Awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who participated in or directly supported military operations in Southwest Asia or in surrounding areas between 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995 (Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM).

(2) Individuals authorized this award must have served in one or more of the following areas between 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995: The Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lines north of 10 degrees N. latitude and west of 68 degrees E. longitude, as well as the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and United Arab Emirates.

(3) Individuals serving in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria and Jordan (including the airspace and territorial waters), between 17 January 1991 and 28 February 1991 shall also be eligible for award of this medal. They must have directly supported combat operations. For instance, Embassy guards would not be eligible.

Specific eligibility criteria for award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal require that a service member must be:

(1) Attached to or regularly serving for 1 or more days with an organization participating in ground/shore (military) operations.

(2) Attached to or regularly serving for 1 or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations.

(3) Actually participating as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in the areas designated above.

Serving on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. These time limitations may be waived by commanding officers for people participating in actual combat operations.

Awarding Authority. Commanding officers are authorized to award the Southwest Asia Service Medal.

Stars. A bronze service star shall be worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the Southwest Asia Service Medal for participation in each campaign period.

• Defense of Saudi Arabia .............02 August 1990 through 16 January 1991.
• Liberation and Defense of Kuwait .....17 January 1991 through 11 April 1991.
• Southwest Asia Ceasefire Campaign....12 April 1991 through 30 November 1995.

Three bronze service stars is the maximum authorized for the Southwest Asia Service Medal.