Pretty much. The Air Force Expeditionary Service Medal means he went overseas in support of a contingency, but that doesn't mean he actually saw direct combat.
The Combat Readiness medal doesn't mean he saw combat, either.
Hell, I was in the Air Force, stationed in Korea, then Tucson, AZ during Desert Shield/Storm in 1991. I got the National Defense Service Medal. Didn't do a damned thing toward National Defense as far as I was concerned.
Also, in 2002, GWB signed a bill authorizing the retroactive award called Korea Defense Service Medal, which was awarded to anyone serving in Korea for more than (IIRC) 30 days (maybe 60) post 1954 to present. I could have my DD-214 amended to show that medal, but really don't want to go through the hassle of it all. None of the medals I "earned" on my Air Force tour of duty were much to brag about. Mostly good boy crap, made it out of basic crap, went overseas crap, was in long enough to get this award crap, or otherwise. The only one I really think I earned was my qualifying expert on the .38 for flight status. The rest were just part of the job.
I’ve always referred to my Good Conduct Medal as my Didn’t Get Caught award. :=)