- Cold War Victory Medal
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Cold War Victory Medal
Cold War Victory MedalAwarded by
(1) United States National Guard
(States of Alaska and Louisiana)
(2) Commemorative medal for veterans
and retirees by purchase from private vendorsType Medal Eligibility 2 Sep 1945 - 26 Dec 1991 Status National Guard and commemorative medal for honorable service during Cold War Statistics First awarded 1 Feb 2000 Last awarded currently to those who served from 2 Sep 1945 - 26 Dec 1991 Precedence Next (higher) U.S. marksmanship, training and development awards (Note: Veterans may wear commemorative medal on public holidays. However, it is not authorized for wear on active duty uniform. The medal may be worn only on civilian attire and only after other authorized awards.)
U.S. National Guard
Alaska Air Medal
Louisiana War CrossNext (lower) Alaska Commendation Medal
Louisiana Emergency Service MedalThe Cold War Victory Medal is both an official medal of the National Guard and an unofficial military medal of the United States. It is awarded by the State of Louisiana and in ribbon form only by the State of Alaska. In the medal's unofficial capacity it can be purchased, but not worn in uniform, by any member of the United States military, or civilian employees of the federal government, who served in their positions honorably during the years of the Cold War, specifically September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991.
Contents
Background and history
In accordance with section 1084 of the National Defense Authorization Act[1] for fiscal year 1998, Congress commended the members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel who contributed to the historic victory in the Cold War, and authorized and instructed the then-Secretary of Defense, William Cohen, to prepare a certificate recognizing the Cold War service of qualifying members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel of the Department of Defense and other government agencies. The certificate became known as the Cold War Recognition Certificate available by request of the individual by all members of the armed forces and qualified federal government civilian personnel who honorably served the United States anytime during the Cold War, which is defined as September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991.
In October 2001, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act ("NDAA")[2] for fiscal year 2002, which is signed into law on December 28, 2001 by President George W. Bush. In the NDAA approved by both houses and signed into law by the president, was a Sense of the Congress resolution that the Secretary of Defense should consider authorizing the issuance of a Campaign medal, to be known as the Cold War Service Medal, to each person who while a member of the Armed Forces served satisfactorily on active duty during the Cold War. The then-Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, did not create such a medal.
The official US Navy web page states: "The Department of Defense will not be creating a Cold War Service medal" and that any commemorative medals made by private vendors are unauthorized on the military uniform.[3] At present the Cold War Victory Medal remains strictly commemorative and is unofficial other than for members of the Louisiana National Guard.
The Cold War Victory Medal is also referred to as the Cold War Commemorative Medal, Cold War Service Medal, or simply as the Cold War Medal. There are no devices or attachments authorized for the Cold War Victory Medal.
Design
The Cold War Victory Medal was designed by Nadine Russell, the Chief of Creative Heraldry at the Army's Institute of Heraldry and the designer of many campaign and service medals, including the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.[4]
National Guard awards medal
The National Guard Bureau does not issue nor recognize the Cold War Victory Medal.[citation needed] The medal is worn as a National Guard award and issued by the Louisiana National Guard. The Adjutant General of the State of Louisiana currently authorizes the decoration as the "Louisiana Cold War Victory Medal". Eligible members, including active duty members, of the Louisiana National Guard are authorized to wear the medal in uniform while in the state of Louisiana and not on federal property in that state (e.g., Fort Polk).[5]
Various commemorative versions of the medal
The Cold War Victory Medal is also a civilian medal which may be privately purchased but is not distributed by the United States government. As such, the decoration is not presently authorized for wear on active duty military uniforms. However, the medal has been officially adopted by the Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States and is thus frequently worn by U.S. military retirees, veterans and civilians on public holidays, parades and veterans functions. In this regard, the order of precedence of the Cold War Victory Medal is immediately after the lowest authorized U.S. award.
There are various versions of the medal privately struck by many different vendors. However, the only version which has been officially adopted by the Military Order of Foreign Wars has been the Cold War Victory Medal designed by Nadine Russell of the Institute of Heraldry. It has also been officially adopted by the American Cold War Veterans organization. The Germany Defense Veterans of America has also adopted and authorized this medal to all the members of the Germany Defense Veterans of America as this organization's wear of medals on the GDVA uniform.
Bills introduced in Congress to enact authorization to wear medal
Over the years bills have been introduced in five separate Congresses for the authorization of a Cold War Victory Medal or Cold War Service Medal. To date bills have successfully passed both houses but get stripped out in committee. All medal bills have been vehemently opposed by the U.S. Department of Defense. On February 17, 2011, Senator Olympia Snowe (ME) and on May 24, 2011, Representative Steve Israel (NY-2) reintroduced legislation in the Senate and House, respectively, that the Secretary of Defense concerned may issue a service medal, to be known as the `Cold War Service Medal', to Cold War veterans who meet the criteria.
Bills in the United States Senate
Congress Cold War Medal Bill number Sponsor Co-Sponsor Notes 112th Congress (2011–2012) S.402 Olympia Snowe (ME) Scott Brown (MA), Susan Collins (ME), John Kerry (MA), Jim Webb (VA) 4 Co-Sponsors as of 10/5/2011 111th Congress (2009–2010) S.2743 Olympia Snowe (ME) Russ Feingold (WI), John Kerry (MA), Paul G. Kirk (MA), Mary Landrieu (LA), Blanche Lincoln (AR), Robert Menendez (NJ), Mike Johanns (NE), Jim Webb (VA) 8 Co-Sponsors 110th Congress (2007–2008) S.AMDT. 2163 to H.R.1585 Hillary Clinton (NY) Susan Collins (ME), Blanche Lincoln (AR) 2 Co-Sponsors S.1097 Hillary Clinton (NY) Susan Collins (ME), Chuck Schumer (NY), Mary Landrieu (LA), Olympia Snowe (ME) 4 Co-Sponsors S.1763 Hillary Clinton (NY) Blanche Lincoln (AR), Olympia Snowe (ME) 2 Co-Sponsors 109th Congress (2005–2006) S.AMDT.4212 to S.2766 Hillary Clinton (NY) None 0 Co-Sponsors S.1351 Hillary Clinton (NY) Blanche Lincoln (AR), Dick Durbin (IL) Tim Johnson (SD) 3 Co-Sponsors 108th Congress (2003–2004) S.1841 Hillary Clinton (NY) Blanche Lincoln (AR), Dick Durbin (IL) Mark Pryor (AR) 3 Co-Sponsors H.R.3388 See H.R. 3388 below David Vitter (LA) David Vitter Co-Sponsored H.R. 3388 as Congressman from Louisiana's 1st district and is currently a US Senator from Louisiana.[6] 107th Congress (2001–2002) H.R.2165 See H.R. 2165 below Lindsey Graham (SC) Lindsey Graham Co-Sponsored H.R.2165 as Congressman from South Carolina's 3rd district and is currently a US Senator from South Carolina.[7] 106th Congress (1999–2000) S.AMDT.474 to S.1059 Phil Gramm (TX) Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX), John Ashcroft (MO), Paul Coverdell (GA), Trent Lott (MS) 4 Co-Sponsors 105th Congress (1997–1998) S.AMDT.743 to S.936 Larry Craig (ID) None 0 Co-Sponsors List of 15 Currently-Serving Senators who have supported the enactment of the medal
State Senator 106th Congress (1999–2000) 107th Congress (2001–2002) 108th Congress (2003–2004) 109th Congress (2005–2006) 110th Congress (2007–2008) 111th Congress (2009–2010) 112th Congress (2011–2012) AR Mark Pryor S.1841 IL Dick Durbin S.1841 S.1351 LA Mary Landrieu S.1097 S.2743 LA David Vitter[8] H.R.3388[9] MA Scott Brown S.402 MA John Kerry S.2743 S.402 ME Susan Collins S.1097 S.AMDT. 2163 to H.R.1585 S.402 ME Olympia Snowe S.1097 S.1763 S.2743 S.402 NE Mike Johanns S.2743 NJ Robert Menendez S.2743 NY Chuck Schumer S.1097 SC Lindsey Graham[10] H.R.2165[11] SD Tim Johnson S.1351 TX Kay Bailey Hutchison S.AMDT.474 to S.1059 VA Jim Webb S.2743 S.402 Bills in the U.S. House of Representatives
Congress Cold War Medal Bill number Sponsor Co-Sponsor Notes 112th Congress (2011–2012) H.R.1968 Steve Israel (NY-2) Jason Altmire (PA-4), Judy Chu, (CA-32), Gerald Connolly (VA-11), Jim Gerlach (PA-6), Nan Hayworth (NY-19), Maurice Hinchey (NY-22), Michael Michaud (ME-2), William Lewis Owens (NY-23), Chellie Pingree (ME-1), Todd Russell Platts (PA-19) 10 Co-Sponsors as of 10/6/2011 111th Congress (2009–2010) H.R.4051 Steve Israel (NY-2) Jason Altmire (PA-4), Michael Arcuri (NY-24), Dan Boren (OK-2), Rick Boucher (VA-9), Bob Brady (PA-1), Christopher Carney (PA-10), Joseph (Joe) Courtney (CT-2), Mark Critz (PA-12), Kathleen Dahlkemper (PA-3), Geoff Davis (KY-4), Bill Delahunt (MA-10), Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08), Chaka Fattah (PA-2), Bob Filner (CA-51), Virginia Foxx (NC-5), Jim Gerlach (PA-6), Brian Higgins (NY-27), Maurice Hinchey (NY-22), Paul Hodes (NH-2), Mark Kirk (IL-10), Tom Latham (IA-4), Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX-18), Thaddeus McCotter (MI-11), Jim McGovern (MA-03), Mike McIntyre (NC-7), Michael McMahon (NY-13), Michael H. Michaud (ME-2), Timothy F. Murphy (PA-18), John Murtha (PA-12), Bill Pascrell (NJ-8), Collin Peterson (MN-7), Pedro Pierluisi (PR), Chellie Pingree (ME-1), Ciro Rodriguez (TX-23), Todd Russell Platts (PA-19), Ted Poe (TX-2), Mike Ross (AR-4), Joe Sestak (PA-7), Betty Sutton (OH-13), Glenn "G.T." Thompson (PA-5), Mac Thornberry (TX-13), Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-5), Joe Wilson (SC-2), Robert Wittman (VA-1), Frank Wolf (VA-10), Fred Upton (MI-6) 46 Co-Sponsors 110th Congress (2007–2008) None None None 109th Congress (2005–2006) H.R.2568 Rob Andrews (NJ-1) Rick Boucher (VA-9), Jo Ann Davis (VA-1), Phil English (PA-3), Bob Filner (CA-51), Virgil Goode (VA-5), Bart Gordon (TN-6), Maurice Hinchey (NY-22), Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX-18), Randy Kuhl (NY-29), Thaddeus McCotter (MI-11), Dennis Moore (KS-3), Jerry Moran (KS-1), Todd Platts (PA-19), Nick Rahall (WV-3), Silvestre Reyes (TX-16), Rob Simmons (CT-2), Bart Stupak (MI-1) 17 Co-Sponsors 108th Congress (2003–2004) H.R.5112 Steve Israel (NY-2) None H.R.5112: To provide for a certificate recognizing employees of defense companies for contributions to the national defense during the Cold War. H.R.3388 Thomas Tancredo (CO-6) Phil English (PA-3), Jim Gerlach (PA-6), Bart Gordon (TN-6), Mark Green (WI-8), Jim Leach (IA-2), Thaddeus McCotter (MI-11), Mike Michaud (ME-2), Dennis Moore (KS-3), Jim Moran (VA-8), Marilyn Musgrave (CO-4), Jim Ryun (KS-2), John Shimkus (IL-19), David Vitter (LA-1), Joe Wilson (SC-2) 14 Co-Sponsors H.R.3201 Rob Andrews (NJ-1) Rick Boucher (VA-9), Ben Chandler (KY-6), Jim Gerlach (PA-6), Mike Honda (CA-15), Jim McDermott (WA-7), Jim McGovern (MA-3), Todd Platts (PA-19) 7 Co-Sponsors 107th Congress (2001–2002) H.R.3417 Ron Paul (TX-14) Virgil Goode (VA-5) 1 Co-Sponsor H.R.2165 Floyd Spence (SC-2) Cass Ballenger (NC-10), Roscoe Bartlett (MD-6), Gus Bilirakis (FL-9), Kevin Brady (TX-8), Steve Buyer (IN-4), Ed Bryant (TN-7), Howard Coble (NC-6), Randy Cunningham (CA-51), Jim Gibbons (NV-2), Lindsey Graham (SC-3), Van Hilleary (TN-4), David L. Hobson (OH-7), Nancy Johnson (CT-6), Sam Johnson (TX-3), Ken Lucas (KY-4), Ray LaHood (IL-18), Jim McGovern (MA-3), Cynthia McKinney (GA-4), Michael Oxley (OH-4), Joseph R. Pitts (PA-16), Jim Ryun (KS-2), Jim Saxton (NJ-3), Edward Schrock (VA-2), Rob Simmons (CT-2), John Spratt (SC-5) 25 Co-Sponsors 106th Congress (1999–2000) H.R.2440 Rick Lazio (NY-2) None 0 Co-Sponsors List of 54 Currently-Serving Representatives plus 1 Delegate to Congress who have supported the enactment of the medal
State Representative 107th Congress (2001–2002) 108th Congress (2003–2004) 109th Congress (2005–2006) 110th Congress (2007–2008) 111th Congress (2009–2010) 112th Congress (2011–2012) AR-04 Mike Ross H.R.4051 CA-15 Mike Honda H.R.3201 CA-32 Judy Chu H.R.1968 CA-51 Bob Filner H.R.2568 H.R.4051 CT-02 Joseph (Joe) Courtney H.R.4051 FL-09 Gus Bilirakis H.R.2165 IA-04 Tom Latham H.R.4051 IL-19 John Shimkus H.R.3388 KS-01 Jerry Moran H.R.2568 KY-04 Geoff Davis H.R.4051 KY-06 Ben Chandler H.R.3201 MA-03 Jim McGovern H.R.2165 H.R.3201 H.R.4051 MD-06 Roscoe Bartlett H.R.2165 ME-01 Chellie Pingree H.R.4051 H.R.1968 ME-02 Mike Michaud H.R.3388 H.R.4051 H.R.1968 MI-06 Fred Upton H.R.4051 MI-11 Thaddeus McCotter H.R.3388 H.R.2568 H.R.4051 MN-07 Collin Peterson H.R.4051 MO-08 Jo Ann Emerson H.R.4051 NC-05 Virginia Foxx H.R.4051 NC-06 Howard Coble H.R.2165 NC-07 Mike McIntyre H.R.4051 NJ-01 Rob Andrews H.R.3201 H.R.2568 NJ-08 Bill Pascrell H.R.4051 NY-02 Steve Israel H.R.5112 H.R.4051 H.R.1968 NY-19 Nan Hayworth H.R.1968 NY-22 Maurice Hinchey H.R.2568 H.R.4051 H.R.1968 NY-23 William Lewis Owens H.R.1968 NY-27 Brian Higgins H.R.4051 OH-13 Betty Sutton H.R.4051 OK-02 Dan Boren H.R.4051 PA-01 Bob Brady H.R.4051 PA-02 Chaka Fattah H.R.4051 PA-04 Jason Altmire H.R.4051 H.R.1968 PA-05 Glenn "G.T." Thompson H.R.4051 PA-06 Jim Gerlach H.R.3201 H.R.3388 H.R.4051 H.R.1968 PA-12 Mark Critz H.R.4051 PA-16 Joseph R. Pitts H.R.2165 PA-18 Timothy F. Murphy H.R.4051 PA-19 Todd Russell Platts H.R.3201 H.R.2568 H.R.4051 H.R.1968 SC-02 Joe Wilson H.R.3388 H.R.4051 TX-02 Ted Poe H.R.4051 TX-03 Sam Johnson H.R.2165 TX-08 Kevin Brady H.R.2165 TX-13 Mac Thornberry H.R.4051 TX-14 Ron Paul H.R.3417 TX-16 Silvestre Reyes H.R.2568 TX-18 Sheila Jackson-Lee H.R.2568 H.R.4051 VA-01 Robert Wittman H.R.4051 VA-08 Jim Moran H.R.3388 VA-10 Frank Wolf H.R.4051 VA-11 Gerald Connolly H.R.1968 WA-07 Jim McDermott H.R.3201 WV-03 Nick Rahall H.R.2568 Delegate to Congress Puerto Rico Pedro Pierluisi H.R.4051 References
- ^ PUBLIC LAW 105–85 Sec. 1084, 111 STAT. 1920, 1998 National Defense Authorization Act NOV. 18, 1997.
- ^ PUBLIC LAW 107–107 Sec. 556, 115 STAT. 1118, 2002 National Defense Authorization Act Dec. 28, 2001.
- ^ "Cold War Medals". United States Navy. 2002-02-01. http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=154. Retrieved 2007-10-19.
- ^ Stanley, Charles, Victory medal eludes Cold War warriors, The Times (November 11, 2007)
- ^ "The State of Louisiana National Guard Cold War Victory Medal". Cold War Veterans Association. 2007. http://www.coldwarveterans.com/louisiana_ng_medal.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-19.
- ^ "H.R. 3388:Cold War Victory Medal Act". GovTrack. 2003-10-29. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h108-3388. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ^ "H.R. 2165:To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the award of a Cold War service medal to members of the Armed Forces who served honorably during the Cold War era". GovTrack. 2001-06-13. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h107-2165. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ^ "H.R. 3388:Cold War Victory Medal Act". GovTrack. 2003-10-29. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h108-3388. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ^ "H.R. 3388:Cold War Victory Medal Act". GovTrack. 2003-10-29. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h108-3388. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ^ "H.R. 2165:To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the award of a Cold War service medal to members of the Armed Forces who served honorably during the Cold War era". GovTrack. 2001-06-13. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h107-2165. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ^ "H.R. 2165:To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the award of a Cold War service medal to members of the Armed Forces who served honorably during the Cold War era". GovTrack. 2001-06-13. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h107-2165. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
External links
Categories:- Awards and decorations of the United States National Guard
- Cold War
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