The New York National Guard Desert Storm Service Medal honors New York National Guard Members who carried out service supporting Operation Desert Storm or Operation Desert Shield, beginning in August of 1990 and extending to the termination of those operations.
Comprised of the New York Army National Guard and New York Air National Guard, the New York National Guard dates back to 1786 with the establishment of a militia following the British occupation of New York City. The New York Army National Guard was officially formed in 1906, and the Air Guard followed in 1917. The Army component numbers over 10,000 guardsmen, and the New York Air National Guard is the largest state Air Guard in the country at nearly 6,000.
The medal features the geographical outline of the countries of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait as well as their names, encircled by text reading “NEW YORK STATE MILITARY FORCES” and “OPERATION DESERT STORM.” The reverse of the medal features the image of an eagle atop a shield above the words” NEW YORK STATE DESERT STORM SERVICE MEDAL 1991.” The ribbon is divided into equal thirds of green, white, and red from right to left; the central white section is flanked by thin vertical black stripes.