Southwest Asia Service Medal Ribbon / Medal Details

Details for the Southwest Asia Service Medal

Date Authorized: March 12th, 1991

Ribbon Identification Colors: black; yellow; blue; white; red; green

Visual Description (Ribbon):

Multi-colored, multi-banded ribbon display; black lines the edges with chamois being the primary color, this separated at points by red, white and blue bands as well as green and black (the latter at the ribbon's center).

Visual Description (Medal):

Rounded bronze suspended from ribbon by loop link; scene depicted is of a desert and includes images of a tank, armored personnel carrier, helicopter and camels; there is a run rising along the horizon with sun rays emanating; a naval ship and tanker are shown on waters towards the bottom of the scene; overhead, a pair of jets swoop down and climb up towards the clouds; dividing the scene in two equal halves are the words "Southwest Asia Service" on two lines of text; REVERSE: A sword pointed upwards with palm frond wrapped around it, from hilt to blade; to the left are the words "United States" and the two the right are the words "Of America".

Award Criteria:

Awarded to personnel in support of Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm between August 2nd, 1990 and November 30th, 1995 in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, part of the Arabian Sea, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Award also pertains to individuals serving in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria and Jorden in support of said operations during January 17th, 1991 and April 11th, 1991.

For official awarding criteria per the US military, please visit: http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Awards/order_of_precedence.aspx