32 National Defense 3 2008-07-01 2008-07-01 false Southwest Asia Service Medal. 578.27 Section 578.27 National Defense Department of Defense (Continued) DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY PERSONNEL DECORATIONS, MEDALS, RIBBONS, AND SIMILAR DEVICES General
§ 578.27 Southwest Asia Service Medal.

(a) The Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) was established by Executive Order 12754, March 12, 1991. It is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States serving in Southwest Asia and contiguous waters or airspace thereover, on or after August 2, 1990 to November 30, 1995. Southwest Asia and contiguous waters, as used herein, is defined as an area which includes the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees N. latitude and west of 68 degrees E. longitude, as well as the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates.

(b) Members of the Armed Forces of the United States serving in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, and Jordan (including the airspace and territorial waters) between January 17, 1991 and April 11, 1991, will also be eligible for this award. Members serving in these countries must have been under the command and control of U.S. Central Command or directly supporting military operations in the combat theater.

(c) To be eligible, a service member must meet one or more of the following criteria:

(1) Be attached to or regularly serving for one or more days with an organization participating in ground or shore (military) operations.

(2) Be attached to or regularly serving for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations.

(3) Be actually participating as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in the areas designated in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

(4) Be serving on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. These time limitations may be waived for people participating in actual combat operations.

(d) The SWASM may be awarded posthumously to any person who lost his or her life while, or as a direct result of, participating in Operation DESERT SHIELD or Operation DESERT STORM without regard to the length of such service, if otherwise eligible.

(e) One bronze service star will be worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the SWASM for participation in each designated campaign. Service stars are described in § 578.61. The designated campaigns for Southwest Asia are provided in Table 8 below:

Table 8 Campaign Inclusive dates Streamer inscription Defense of Saudi Arabia August 2, 1990 to January 16, 1991 Defense of Saudi Arabia 1990-1991. Liberation and Defense of Kuwait January 17, 1991 to April 11, 1991 Liberation and Defense of Kuwait 1991. Southwest Asia Cease-Fire April 12, 1991 to November 30, 1995 Southwest Asia Cease-Fire, 1991-1995.

(f) See AR 670-20 for the Civilian Service in Southwest Asia Medal.

(g) Description. The medal is Bronze 11/4 inches wide, with the words “SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE” across the center background. Above the center is a desert scene with a tank, armored personnel carrier, helicopter and camels with the rising sun in the background. Below the center is a seascape with ship, tanker, aircraft and clouds in the background. On the reverse, is an upraised sword entwined with a palm frond and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” around the edge. The ribbon is 13/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/16 inch Black 67138; 1/8 inch Chamois 67142; 1/16 inch Old Glory Blue 67178; 1/16 inch White 67101; 1/16 inch Old Glory Red 67156; 3/16 inch Chamois; 3/32 inch Myrtle Green 67190; center 1/16 inch Black; 3/32 inch Myrtle Green; 3/16 inch Chamois; 1/16 inch Old Glory Red; 1/16 inch White; 1/16 inch Old Glory Blue; 1/8 inch Chamois; and 1/16 inch Black.