Southwest Asia Service

Southwest Asia Service



Authorized by E.O. 12754 (reference (x)).

Individuals authorized that award must have served in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM in one or more of the following areas from August 2, 1990 through November 30, 1995: the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 100 N. latitude and west 680 E. longitude, as well as the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Individuals serving in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, and Jordan (including the airspace and territorial waters) directly supporting combat operations from January 17, 1991 through November 30, 1995 shall also be eligible for award of the medal. C6.7.1.2. Specific. To be eligible, a Service member must be:

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

Attached to or regularly serving for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations.

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

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

Awarding

The Southwest Asia Service Medal may be awarded posthumously.

Each Military Department may grant exceptions to the eligibility criteria outlined below, and shall prescribe appropriate regulations for administrative processing, awarding and wearing of the Southwest Asia Service Medal, ribbon, and appurtenances.

Stars. One bronze service star shall be worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the Southwest Asia Service Medal for participation in each campaign period (i.e., an individual who participated in one campaign would wear the medal and/or service ribbon with one star). The first campaign period is designated as the "Defense of Saudi Arabia" with corresponding dates of August 2, 1990 through January 16, 1991. The second campaign is designated "Liberation and Defense of Kuwait" from January 17, 1991 to April 11, 1991. The third and final campaign, is designated the "Southwest Asia Cease Fire Campaign," and extends from April 12, 1991 through November 30, 1995. Service members eligible for the SWASM based on participation in Operation PROVIDE COMFORT will wear the medal and service ribbon with star.

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