Southwest Asia Service Medal
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Southwest Asia Service Medal
Awarded by: United States Department of Defense
Type: Campaign Medal
Eligibility: August 2, 1990 - November 30, 1995
Status: Not currently awarded
Statistics: Established
EO 12754, March 12, 1991, as amended
First awarded: January 17, 1991 (retroactive)
Last awarded: November 30, 1995
Precedence
Related: National Defense Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)

Southwest Asia Service Ribbon & streamer
The Southwest Asia Service Medal (SASM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was created by order of President George H. W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War. The medal was designed by Nadine Russell of the Army's Institute of Heraldry.

Individuals awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal must have participated in or supported military operations in Southwest Asia between August 2, 1990 and November 30, 1995. That period of inclusion includes participation in Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm: Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees North latitude and west of 68 degrees East longitude. Individuals serving in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria and Jordan (including the airspace and territorial waters) directly supporting combat operations between January 17, 1991 and April 11, 1991 are also eligible for this award. To receive the award, a service member must be: attached to or regularly serving for one or more days with an organization participating in ground / 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; or serving on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, except, if a waiver is authorized for personnel participating in actual combat.

For those service members who performed ''home service'' during the Persian Gulf War, such as support personnel in the United States, the Southwest Asia Service Medal is not authorized. The award is also not authorized for those who performed support of the Persian Gulf War from European or Pacific bases. One bronze service star will be worn for participation in each designated campaign. Each recipient of the medal should wear at least one campaign star. Designated campaigns are as follows:

Campaign
From
To
Defense of Saudi Arabia
August 2, 1990 - January 16, 1991

Liberation and Defense of Kuwait
January 17, 1991 - April 11, 1991

Southwest Asia Cease-Fire
April 12, 1991 - November 30, 1995

One Campaign: service ribbon with one 3⁄16 inch bronze star.
Two Campaigns: service ribbon with two 3⁄16 inch bronze stars.

Three Campaigns: service ribbon with three 3⁄16 inch bronze stars