Find a copy of your military discharge or Form DD-214. If you do not have a copy of your DD-214, request an official copy at the above link. Once you have your DD-214 in hand, look at box #13 'Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaigns.' Make sure to always look in Box #18, 'Remarks.' Many times, additional awards and changes to your record(s) are recorded in Box #18. While doing this, MAKE SURE that your service period in Southwest Asia is clearly defined or stated in your Form DD-214. The dates should be DEC 29, 1990 to MAY 17, 1991.

Once you take a good look at your awards and entitlements you should not be surprised to find that one, two or several items are missing from your records. I suspect that almost every A/40th FA, MLRS soldier, assigned from December 29, 1990 to May 17, 1991, is missing a minimum of one award. If you don't think you are missing anything, go back and take a second look at Boxes #13 and #18 on your DD-214. Make a list of what you believe is missing, incorrect or inaccurate. You will need to submit some forms and supporting documents to military service records to have your records amended or changed. All changes to your service records should be requested using Form DD-149. For your convenience, you can view, download or save a 'fill-able' version of Form DD-149 by clicking on this link.

Follow the included instructions for completing Form DD-149. Fill out the form as completely and accurately as possible. Remember, this is a Federal document and you don't want your records associated with any gross inaccuracies or fraudulent reporting. Use any documents you may have in your possession as supporting evidence for your change request. The object is to establish your eligibility. The best way to do this is by proving where you have been and when you were there. Some examples of supporting evidence may be:

Your Current Form DD-214
Assignment Orders (Especially orders assigning you to (or from) the 3rd Armored Division, A/40th Field Artillery, MLRS)
Orders for various awards and citations while assigned to 3rd Armored Division or A/40th Field Artillery, MLRS)
Pictures of you in uniform during the Gulf War (Especially pictures containing you and road signs, buildings, destroyed Iraqi equipment)
Write your own personal statement of service
Have a person you served with write a statement of service, verifying your time in Southwest Asia and campaigns you participated in or even personal memories and stories that include you.
You can use copies of deployment or assignment rosters, orders for unit awards, memorandums, CPT Tokar's written unit history.
USE THE INTERNET

Information about awards and decorations earned by Gulf War Veterans can be confusing, considering the various interpretations of award qualifications and criteria. I receive a lot of questions from veterans who are either not aware of their award entitlements or have received incomplete or incorrect information, concerning awards authorized as a result of their Gulf War service.

Assembled below is a complete list of awards and decorations earned by 40th Field Artillery soldiers as a result of their service during the various campaigns of the Persian Gulf War. Information includes a description of each award, qualifying criteria and copies of award orders. Also included are any other documents that can be used as supporting evidence of an award's authorization. I have also included a list of steps to follow and downloadable documents needed in order to have an award added or correction made to a soldier's permanent record or DD Form 214.

Though some awards information may apply to veterans of other units, the information below is assembled specifically for veterans assigned to 'A' Battery 40th Field Artillery, MLRS - 3rd Armored Division DEC 27, 1990 to MAY 17, 1991.

Persian Gulf War - Desert Storm - Awards & Decorations

Gulf War Awards and Decorations

Awards and Decorations

40th Field Artillery T-Shirts

3rd Armored Division Sweatshirts

MLRS Coffee Mugs

40th Field Artillery Veterans Association

Liberation of Kuwait Medal - Saudi Arabia

Liberation of Kuwait Medal - Kuwait - Ribbon

Liberation of Kuwait Medal - Saudi Arabia - Ribbon

National Defense Service Medal

Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ 3 Bronze Campaign Stars

Liberation of Kuwait - Kuwait

Liberation of Kuwait - Saudi Arabia

Humanitarian Service Medal

Meritorious Unit Citation

Awarded to anyone who serves on active duty in the United States military during a designated period of time. In the fifty years since the creation of the National Defense Service Medal, it has been authorized for the following time periods; June 27, 1950 to July 27, 1954 for service during the Korean War; January 1, 1961 to August 14, 1974 for service during the Vietnam War; August 2, 1990 to November 30, 1995 for service during the Gulf War; September 11, 2001 to a date yet-to-be-determined for service during the War on Terrorism. As of 2005, it is the oldest service medal which is still issued to the active military.

*Supporting documentation is not needed to show authorization for this award. Your military service record or DD Form 214 should show that your period of service was during one of the designated periods listed above. If not, continue reading about how to request changes to your records below.

Awarded to any U.S. Army command displaying exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions. The Army Meritorious Unit Citation was originally established in 1944 as the "Meritorious Service Unit Plaque". On April 6, 1966, it was changed to a personal decoration, for wear on a uniform, with the ribbon established as a patch of scarlet worn inside a gold frame. Additional awards are denoted by oak leaf clusters. The award is a mid-level unit award.

Awarded to members of the Coalition Forces who participated in Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait between the dates of January 17, 1991 and February 28, 1991. Considered the rarer of the two versions of the medal, as it recognizes service during a short period of time (only a few months) whereas the Kuwaiti version of the medal is granted for service over several years. For this reason, the Saudi Arabian Kuwait Liberation Medal is considered senior in precedence to the Kuwaiti version of the medal.

Awarded for military service between August 2, 1990 and November 30, 1995 for participation during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. A service member must also have served in the geographical land areas of any of the following nations: Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and/or United Arab Emirates. Between January 17, 1991 and November 30, 1995, service members who performed duty "in support of" the Gulf War are eligible to receive the Southwest Asia Service Medal if duty was performed in either Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, or Jordan.

The Southwest Asia Service Medal is authorized 3 campaign service stars. Each campaign is denoted with a 'bronze service star' device, awarded with the medal. Authorized campaigns include:
Defense of Saudi Arabia: August 2, 1990 to January 16, 1991
Liberation and Defense of Kuwait: January 17 to April 11, 1991
Cease-Fire Campaign: April 12, 1991 to November 30, 1995.

Campaign Service Stars Document

Awarded to members of the Military Coalition who served in support of Operation Desert Shield or Desert Storm in one or more of the following areas between 2 August 1990 and 31 August 1993: Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. 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 (military) operations; (2) attached to or regularly serving for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations.

Awarded to any member of the United States military who distinguish themselves by meritorious participation in specified military acts or operations of a humanitarian nature.The medal is presented either as an individual decoration or bestowed upon an entire military unit. The activities to which the Humanitarian Service Medal may be authorized are designated by the Department of Defense. Such activities include natural disaster relief, evacuation of non-combatants from a hostile area, or humanitarian support to refugees.