RARE GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL CLASP GULF D196596M MARSHALL ROYAL NAVY

Offered is a General Service Medal (Queen Elizabeth II), with the scarce clasp GULF, being impressed named MEM (M)1 B MARSHALL D196596M  RN.

The medals has some very minor flecking to 8 o'clock obverse, otherwise near mint condition. A scarce campaign clasp, on an immaculate award medal.

The clasp Gulf was awarded for 30 days service between 17 November 1986 (first task group being led by HMS Nottingham) and 31 October 1988 in the Persian Gulf during the Iran–Iraq War. Royal Navy Ships tasked to the Armilla patrol escorted civilian shipping through the Straits of Hormuz whilst under threat from Iranian Forces and also carried out mine countermeasures in the Persian Gulf up to 28 February 1989.

During this period, the protracted war between Saddam Hussein's Iraq and Iran quickly stalled on land, but the ability to strike oil-carrying vessels of the enemy became rife. During 1986 alone, 111 neutral tankers were sunk in the gulf. In order to protect the trade, a combined force swept the seas.