AMERICAN COLD WAR VETERANS, INC.
June 18, 2011
COLD WAR SERVICE MEDAL
WHEREAS, millions of unrecognized American troops served overseas around the globe in waging and winning a clear-cut victory in the Cold War (1945-1991); and
WHEREAS, Cold War Veterans were in the forefront of the worldwide struggle to defeat international communism since its inception; and
WHEREAS, There were Cold War flashpoints recognized by the Army of Occupation Medal, China and offshore waters under the China Service Medal (1945-1957), as well as 17 distinct military actions (1958-1983) covered by the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; and
WHEREAS, Many Americans lost their lives in hostile incidents with Soviets and their surrogates, Chinese, North Koreans and Cuban-supported insurgents along the Iron, Bamboo and Cactus Curtains (over and above the full-fledged wars in Korea and Vietnam) and other combat endeavors; and
WHEREAS, uncounted numbers of the United States military enforced the containment policy in inhospitable environments ranging from the shores of Greenland, the barren Aleutian islands, North Pacific skies, depths of the Arctic Ocean, Latin American jungles, as well as those countless numbers of members who served in CONUS, often in remote and isolated locations, to remote outposts stretching from Ethiopia to Pakistan, without official or public recognition; and
WHEREAS, The end of the Cold War brought freedom to many millions of people, and save countless lives with the end of the harsh and brutal rule of the totalitarian communist regime, thus bringing a peace dividend that cannot be calculated; and
WHEREAS, an all-encompassing precedent (Public Law 104-3) as has been set with the universal opening of membership to all veterans of Korea war service regardless of direct exposure to enemy attack; and
WHEREAS, as a matter of fairness and a means of rectifying a continuing injustice to Americans who performed arduous duty during the Cold War in most cases equal to that of combat, closing this gap in Cold War recognition, is the right thing to do for our veterans; and
WHEREAS, Congress has currently proposed two pieces of legislation S.402 and H.R. 1968 that provide for the award of a military service medal to members of the armed forces who served honorably during the Cold War and assisted in its final successful outcome; and
WHEREAS, The Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act 2012 includes a provision to authorize
the Secretary of Defense to authorize the issuance of a Cold War Service Medal; and
WHEREAS, This year 2011, marks the twentieth anniversary of the end of the Cold War and would be the perfect
time to recognize and honor these brave men and women, now; therefor
BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Cold War Veterans, that we support the federal legislation to award a Cold War Service Medal to veterans who were involved in that historical endeavor.
MILITARY ORDER OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES
The Cold War Medal has been adopted as an official medal of the MOFWUS.
Reserve Officers Association Resolution No. 10-32
Resolution No. 10-32: Authorize Cold War Service Medal
RESERVE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Reserve Officers Association Resolution No. 10-32
Resolution No. 10-32: Authorize Cold War Service Medal
WHEREAS, the Fiscal Year 2002 Defense Authorization Act encouraged the Secretary of Defense to consider authorizing the Cold War Service Medal, for the period 2 September 1945 through 26 December 1991;
WHEREAS, the veterans of the Cold War faithfully served our country during a campaign of Soviet Block aggression, Eastern Europe occupation, and the constant threat of nuclear attack; and
WHEREAS, the Secretary of Defense has not yet authorized the wearing of the Cold War Service Medal on the military uniform;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Reserve Officers Association of the United States, chartered by Congress, urge the Congress to direct the Secretary of Defense to authorize and issue the Cold War Service Medal.
Renewed by the ROA National Convention, 10 February 2010
Renewed by the National Convention 30 June 2007
Adopted as 04-13 by the National Convention 12 June 2004
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
WHEREAS, in 1998, the United States (U.S.) government recognized the contributions of over 20 million U.S. service members during the Cold War with a certificate of recognition; and
WHEREAS, no medal exists to recognize the dedication and participation of these service members in hundreds of military exercises and operations that occurred between 2 September 1945 to 26 December 1991 to promote world peace and stability; and
WHEREAS, during this period service members were killed, wounded, and missing in Cold War operations overseas, which were separate from other recognized wars such as the Korean War and Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, eligibility for a veteran’s pension, in part, requires honorable service during time of war, Cold War veterans are not eligible for a pension because there is no medal indicating a Cold War existed; and
WHEREAS, there is a significant population of homeless veterans in the United States many of whom are not eligible for a veteran’s pension; and
WHEREAS, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States recognizes that the Cold War veterans prevented world domination of communism and nuclear war; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and right that these service members receive proper recognition from their government in the form of the award of a Cold War Victory Medal that will entitle eligibility for a veteran’s pension; and
WHEREAS, the United States government has not properly recognized the service of these veterans who sacrificed so much; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support the creation and awarding of a Cold War Victory Medal to all eligible U.S. service personnel who served in the military during the Cold War era, 2 September 1945 to 26 December 1991, and whose service has not already been recognized by a campaign or service medal.
Adopted by the 108th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United Statesheld in Kansas City, Missouri, August 18-23, 2007
NINETIETH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE AMERICAN LEGION
Phoenix, Arizona
August 26, 27, 28, 2008
Resolution No. 88: Cold War Victory Medal
Origin: Florida Submitted by: Convention Committee on National Security
Consolidated with Resolution 16 (DC)
WHEREAS, The United States Armed Forces engaged the forces of international communism continuously from the end of World War II until the disintegration of the former Soviet Union; and
WHEREAS, The United States, during this extended period, relied for its manpower source on a national service Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps made up of citizens performing their obligated duty to serve and defend the United States; and
WHEREAS, The defeat of the former Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies constituted the greatest success of American Armed Forces since the end of World War II; and
WHEREAS, Many American citizens served the nation in assigned duties without receiving tangible recognition for that service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, By The American Legion in National Convention assembled in Phoenix, Arizona, August 26, 27, 28, 2008, That The American Legion urge Congress to authorize and provide funding for the award of a COLD WAR VICTORY MEDAL to all Armed Forces members who served on extended active duty during the period of September 2, 1945 through December 26, 1991, thereby commemorating service in the Cold War to eliminate the threat of a determined enemy to overpower the freely elected democracies of the world.
JEWISH WAR VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Resolution passed - August 2000
13. Cold War Victory Medal
The United States Congress has authorized the Cold War Certificate for those Americans who served in the Armed Forces, or in other government agencies, during the period September 2, 1945 thru December 26th, 1991 who’s duties contributed directly to this nation’s Cold War efforts. The 1990 census indicates that at least 18 million Cold War veterans were alive at that time, and further estimates indicated that as many as 22 million Americans served honorably during the cold war. The Cold War was of such magnitude and scope that there is no comparable event in history, and therefore must be treated as unique. The American victory in the cold war changed the world forever and those Americans who served honorably in the Armed Forces should be recognized in the form of a medal.
13. Cold War Victory Medal
The United States Congress has authorized the Cold War Certificate for those Americans who served in the Armed Forces, or in other government agencies, during the period September 2, 1945 thru December 26th, 1991 who’s duties contributed directly to this nation’s Cold War efforts. The 1990 census indicates that at least 18 million Cold War veterans were alive at that time, and further estimates indicated that as many as 22 million Americans served honorably during the cold war. The Cold War was of such magnitude and scope that there is no comparable event in history, and therefore must be treated as unique. The American victory in the cold war changed the world forever and those Americans who served honorably in the Armed Forces should be recognized in the form of a medal.