The medal is 1 25/32 inches in width and is described as follows: On a Gold sunburst with stylized Silver rays, a globe depicting the Arabian Peninsula encircled by a wreath of palm between a scroll in the base inscribed "LIBERATION OF KUWAIT" and at the top a palm tree issuing from two diagonally crossed sabers, all Gold.

Ribbon:

The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 5/32 inch Old Glory Red 67156; 5/64 inch Black 67138; 9/64 inch White 67101; center 5/8 inch Irish Green 67189; 9/64 inch White; 5/64 inch Black; and 5/32 inch Old Glory Red.

Criteria:

    a. Members of the Armed Forces of the United States must have served in support of Operation Desert Storm between 17 January 1991 and 28 February 1991 in one of the following areas: Persian Gulf; Red Sea; Gulf of Oman; that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees North latitude and west of 68 degrees East longitude; the Gulf of Aden; or the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

    b. To be eligible, a Service member must have been:

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

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

        (3) actually participating as a crew member in one or more aerial flights supporting military operations in the areas designated above; or

        (4) serving on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days during this period. This time limitation may be waived for people participating in actual combat operations.

Components:

The following are authorized components and related items.

    a. Medal (regular size): (Initial issue provided by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) MIL-DTL-3943/244. NSN 8455-01-349-7517.

    b. Medal (miniature size): MIL-DTL-3943/244. Available commercially.

    c. Ribbon: MIL-DTL-11589/75 with ribbon attachment. Available commercially.

Background:

    a. The Kuwait Liberation Medal granted by decree of the King of Saudi Arabia, dated 23-10-1411H, was accepted by the Deputy Secretary of Defense per memorandum dated 7 October 1991, subject: Acceptance of Foreign Award in Recognition of Active Field Service in Time of Combat Operations.

    b. A gold device consisting of two crossed sabers and a palm tree is affixed to the service ribbon.

    c. The sunburst symbolizes the light of freedom. The globe, depicting the Arabian Peninsula, denotes the theater of operations and is encircled by palm, denoting victory. The palm tree with crossed sabers is the emblem of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Green, red, white and black are the colors of the flag of Kuwait. Green and white are colors in the flag of Saudi Arabia.

    d. The wear of foreign service medals is prescribed in Army Regulation 670-1. The Kuwait Liberation Medal from the Government of Saudia Arabia will be worn immediately following the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

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