The Gulf War Medal was a campaign medal approved in 1992, for issue to officers and men of British forces who served in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia during Operation Granby (the Liberation of Kuwait) in 1990–91.

The Gulf Medal is cupro-nickel and 36 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter, with the following design:[1] Two clasps were authorised for those who served in Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion, and for those who took part in operations to liberate Kuwait:[2][3] In undress uniform, a rosette is worn on the medal ribbon to denote the award of either clasp.

[4] The breakdown of awards to the armed forces was as follows:[5] About 1,500 civilians including American, Australian, British, Canadian and New Zealand members of British Aerospace working at Dhahran and Riyadh and Khamis Mushayt also received the medal with the clasp 16th Jan to 28th Feb.[1] Most were recently retired members of their respective country's armed forces.

British service personnel were granted permission to accept these, but not to wear them in uniform.

[7] British personnel could also qualify for the United Nations Medal for UNIKOM (United Nations Iraq–Kuwait Observation Mission), for a minimum of ninety days service between 1 April 1991 – 6 October 2003.