Cold War Veterans Blog

About The Cold War Medal

There are several commemoratives out there, but the Foxfall Medal is the highest quality and is also excepted as a N.G. Medal in the State of Louisiana.


The Cold War Medal proudly commemorates your service during the Cold War. Please note that it is privately struck and may not be worn on the uniform of active duty military personnel. However, it is the perfect companion to the Cold War Recognition Certificate offered by the United States government to military and civilian veterans who served the United States at any time between 1946 and 1991.

The total price of the Foxfall package is about $30.00, which includes the full-sized medal, ribbon bar, miniature-sized medal, lapel pin, and shipping & handling. In addition, all of this comes in a simulated-leather, hinged display box. Given the quality of the items, the cost is an outstanding bargain.

The detail and craftsmanship of the this two-sided medal is exquisite. It was designed by Nadine Russell, who, in literature that comes with the box, is described as "... one of America's leading medalists ... She has designed numerous military and civilian medals for the U.S. Government ... Her work on this medal was based on a great deal of research ... the design that resulted from her efforts is both beautiful in appearance and rich in symbolism."

Congress did not specifically authorize a medal for Federal service during the cold war, but limited its official recognition to the Cold War Recognition Certificate. This medal is intended for use by State Guard organizations, military and patriotic societies, and by private citizens who served during the Cold War. It has been adopted as an official medal of the Military Order of Foreign Wars. It offers a unique form of recognition specifically for citizen-soldiers and Federal civilian employees who served during the cold war. Interest in this medal has been strong, and many former service members have obtained it to place in a shadow box with their Federal and State military awards.

Period of Service

The medal recognizes honorable service between the inclusive dates of September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991.

Designer

The Cold War 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 Outstanding Military Volunteer Service Medal.

Symbolism

Obverse

The allegorical figure of Freedom sits upon a vantage point over-looking a landscape suggestive of the Fulda Gap, the anticipated point of attack by Communist forces in Europe during the Cold War. The Fulda Gap thus represents all territory subject to the threat of invasion or war. The sitting figure also alludes to a long-term and watchful military presence. She holds a sheathed Roman sword in her hand, point down. The sword represents military strength, and its being sheathed is symbolic of defensive military action. Her foot rests on a book, representing both history and law. To her right is an American bald eagle grasping a bundle of arrows and an olive branch. The eagle, symbolic of the United States, represents the principles of freedom. The arrows stand for the willingness to use force in support of freedom, and the olive branch alludes to the goal of peace. Behind the figure of Freedom, and on the horizon of the landscape in front of her, a sun rising in the east symbolizes the birth of a new era of peace and stability arising from the end of the Cold War. Superimposed over the geographic scene, and below the rising sun, is the inscription, Promoting Peace and Stability, which is taken from the wording on the Congressional certificate and which identifies the efforts recognized by the medal.

Reverse

In the center of the medal, the inscription, IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR SERVICE, is enclosed within a stylized wreath of laurel, which represents honor. The wreath is tied at its base by a ribbon, the ends of which rise above a shield taken from the coat of arms of the United States. The dates 2 September 1945 - 26 December 1991, which are taken from the Congressional certificate, appear beneath the inscription.

Ribbon

In the center of the ribbon there is a narrow stripe of red, repre-senting courage and the willingness to sacrifice life for freedom. This red stripe is bordered by a narrow stripe of gold, which alludes to honor and achievement. The gold is bordered by black, which stands for the threat of war, and the black is bordered by green, which represents growth, hope, and life. The green is edged in gold, which is bordered by white, the predominant color of the ribbon and which represents integrity and purity of purpose. The ribbon is edged in gold.

Criteria

This medal may be worn by any individual for service in a component of the Armed Forces (including National Guard, State Guard, and Reserve Forces) and by civilian employees of the Government who contributed to the historic victory in the Cold War for any period between the inclusive dates of September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991.


When will a medal be officially sanctioned by the Department of Defense?

Currently there are 2 pieces of legislation pending 1)SEC. 556. COLD WAR VICTORY MEDAL.

(a) Authority- Chapter 57 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

`Sec. 1135. Cold War Victory Medal

`(a) Medal Authorized- The Secretary concerned shall issue a service medal, to be known as the `Cold War Victory Medal', to persons eligible to receive the medal under subsection (b). The Cold War Victory Medal shall be of an appropriate design approved by the Secretary of Defense , with ribbons, lapel pins, and other appurtenances.

`(b) Eligible Persons- The following persons are eligible to receive the Cold War Victory Medal:

`(1) A person who--

`(A) performed active duty or inactive duty training as an enlisted member during the Cold War;

`(B) completed the person's initial term of enlistment or, if discharged before completion of such initial term of enlistment, was honorably discharged after completion of not less than 180 days of service on active duty; and

`(C) has not received a discharge less favorable than an honorable discharge or a release from active duty with a characterization of service less favorable than honorable.

`(2) A person who--

`(A) performed active duty or inactive duty training as a commissioned officer or warrant officer during the Cold War;

`(B) completed the person's initial service obligation as an officer or, if discharged or separated before completion of such initial service obligation, was honorably discharged after completion of not less than 180 days of service on active duty; and

`(C) has not been released from active duty with a characterization of service less favorable than honorable and has not received a discharge or separation less favorable than an honorable discharge.

`(c) One Award Authorized- Not more than one Cold War Victory Medal may be issued to any person.

`(d) Issuance to Representative of Deceased- If a person described in subsection (b) dies before being issued the Cold War Victory Medal, the medal shall be issued to the person's representative, as designated by the Secretary concerned.

`(e) Replacement- Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned, a Cold War Victory Medal that is lost, destroyed, or rendered unfit for use without fault or neglect on the part of the person to whom it was issued may be replaced without charge.

`(f) Application for Medal- The Cold War Victory Medal shall be issued upon receipt by the Secretary concerned of an application for such medal, submitted in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary prescribes.

`(g) Uniform Regulations- The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that regulations prescribed by the Secretaries of the military departments under this section are uniform so far as is practicable.

`(h) Definition- In this section, the term `Cold War' means the period beginning on September 2, 1945, and ending at the end of December 26, 1991.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

`1135. Cold War Victory Medal.'.


2) A similar Bill has been introduced by Senator Clinton [NY] and Collins [ME] in the U.S. Senate in S 1097 The Cold War Medal Act of 2007 .

1 . Cold War Medal Act of 2007 (Introduced in Senate)[S.1763.IS]
2 . Cold War Medal Act of 2007 (Introduced in Senate)[S.1097.IS]

Cold War Certificate

Approved in 1998, the Cold War Recognition Certificate was created as a substitute for an actual medal. This decision was and remains controversial among many veterans.

The U.S. Army Personnel Command is responsible for coordinating issuance of the certificates for all military services. Located in Alexandria, Va., that command is alongside the Army's Military Awards Branch. The Personnel Service Support Division handles requests.

Applications are available on the Internet at https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/active/tagd/coldwar/default.htm .

This Web site provides details on procedures for applying and the required documentation.

* Applications must be faxed or mailed with documentation.
* Do not send your original documents (DD-214, etc.)--they will not be returned.
* Your letter must contain the phrase, "I certify that my service was honorable and faithful."
* Customer service: (703) 325-5864.
* Fax number: 1-800-723-9262.
* Mailing address: CDR, AHRC, Cold War Recognition, Hoffman II, Attn: AHRC-CWRS, Room 3N45, 200 Stovall St., Alexandria, VA 22332-0473.