Southwest Asia Service Medal

In March of 1991 President George H. W. Bush issued an Executive Order creating The Southwest Asia Service Medal and entering it in the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military medals are intended to recognize service personnel of all branches of military service who performed active duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War. These military medals and ribbons were presented for service in either Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm between August of 1990 and November of 1995. To receive these military ribbons and medals, a service member must also have served in the geographical land area of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, or Jordan.

The Defense Department has divided this war into four campaigns, and a maximum of three Service Stars can be worn on these military ribbons and medals to denote service in these campaigns. The Southwest Asia Service Medal is worn below the Vietnam Service Medal and above the Kosovo Service Medal in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military ribbons and medals.

The Southwest Asia Service Medal is generally available as Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Awards, and can be worn as traditional full size military medals, mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. They are available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons. While traditionalist may still prefer to purchase the traditional slide-on full size military medals, mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons; the newer thin mini-medals, and ultra thin military ribbons commercial suppliers now provide have become extremely popular among up and coming military personnel who know how important it is to their career advancement to always maximize the neatness and smartness of their uniform appearance.