Desert Storm Unit Awards

UNIT AWARDS

This page is the gateway to the awards section of this website…

Many U.S. Army units that participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm received unit awards.  The award received was generally either the Valorous Unit Award (VUA) or Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC).  From this page, you can do the following:

  • Learn detailed information regarding the 1st BDE, 3AD VUA
  • Download copies of orders for 3d Armored Division units
  • Browse a list of unit awards for units Army-wide that participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (this list is not complete, but is growing — stop by periodically to see if your unit is listed)

To reach these areas, use the buttons on the left side of this page.

OVERSEAS SERVICE BAR (OSB)

In accordance with the provisions of AR 670-1 (1 September 1992):

“One Overseas Service Bar is authorized for each 6 months Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service in the Persian Gulf from 17 January 1991 to a date to be determined for Operation Desert Storm.  Both the month or arrival in Operation Desert Storm and the month of departure from Operation Desert Storm will count as a whole month.”

Translated into an example, if you arrived in theater on 29 January 1991 and departed theater on 3 June 1991 you are authorized the OSB.  The OSB is the horizontal “hash mark” worn on the right sleave of the Army Class A Uniform.

HUMANITARIAN SERVICE MEDAL
Another question primary on the minds of many 3AD and other Desert Storm veterans is the award of the Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM).  We are still trying to get a definitive answer on this question.  There is a set of “orders” floating around that seem to grant the award to the division, but this is most likely not what it seems to be.  It is more likely just the orders distribution list.  Stay tuned for further information on this.  If we get real proof of this award, we will post it here on this website for all to download.

WHERE DO YOU GO FROM HERE?
Follow this link if you were with other 3AD units.