Southwest Asia Service Medal

Southwest Asia Service Medal. The United States Armed Forces established the Southwest Asia Service Medal to recognize Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm participants, including those involved in the Gulf War. This medal is also related to the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) and the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), which were awarded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait respectively. The Southwest Asia Service Medal is one of the many awards that General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. and General Colin Powell were eligible for, due to their roles in the Gulf War.

● Introduction

The Southwest Asia Service Medal was created to honor the men and women who served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, which involved the United States Navy, United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard. The medal is related to other awards such as the National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, which were also awarded to United States Armed Forces personnel for their service in various military operations, including the Vietnam War and the Korean War. The Southwest Asia Service Medal is also connected to the NATO Medal, which was established by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to recognize the service of NATO personnel in various operations, including the Bosnian War and the Kosovo War. Notable figures such as General David Petraeus and General Tommy Franks were eligible for the Southwest Asia Service Medal due to their involvement in the Gulf War and other military operations in the region.

● Eligibility

To be eligible for the Southwest Asia Service Medal, personnel must have served in Southwest Asia, which includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, and Turkey, between August 2, 1990 and November 30, 1995. This period includes the Gulf War, which involved the United States Armed Forces, the British Armed Forces, and other coalition forces, such as the French Armed Forces and the Australian Defence Force. The medal is also awarded to personnel who served in Operation Southern Watch and Operation Northern Watch, which were military operations conducted by the United States Armed Forces and other coalition forces to enforce the no-fly zones over Iraq. Notable recipients of the Southwest Asia Service Medal include General John Abizaid and General Peter Pace, who served in various military operations in the region.

● Description

The Southwest Asia Service Medal is a bronze medal that features a desert landscape with a dhow sailing ship in the background, symbolizing the region's maritime history and the Gulf War. The medal is suspended from a ribbon with a desert sand-colored background and features a red and white stripe, representing the United States and the coalition forces that participated in the Gulf War. The medal is related to other awards such as the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) and the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), which feature similar designs and symbols. The Southwest Asia Service Medal is also connected to the National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, which have distinct designs and eligibility criteria.

● History

The Southwest Asia Service Medal was established by Executive Order 12754 on March 12, 1991, which was signed by President George H.W. Bush. The medal was created to recognize the service of United States Armed Forces personnel who participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, which were military operations conducted in response to the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. The Southwest Asia Service Medal is also related to other awards such as the Vietnam Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal, which were established to recognize the service of United States Armed Forces personnel in the Vietnam War and the Korean War respectively. Notable figures such as General Creighton Abrams and General Matthew Ridgway were eligible for these medals due to their service in these conflicts.

● Notable Recipients

Notable recipients of the Southwest Asia Service Medal include General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., General Colin Powell, General David Petraeus, and General Tommy Franks, who all played significant roles in the Gulf War and other military operations in the region. The medal is also awarded to personnel who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, which were military operations conducted by the United States Armed Forces and other coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. Other notable recipients include Admiral William J. Fallon and General John Abizaid, who served in various military operations in the region, including the Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan. The Southwest Asia Service Medal is also connected to the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal, which are awards that recognize the service and achievements of United States Armed Forces personnel. Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States