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Ok, I know there are a number of discussions about the proliferation of awards but I have a slightly different question.
What is your opinion on the "Cold War Medal"?
Those of us that served between wars from 1945 through 1991 did not receive any recognition for keeping the Nuclear Peace. Over the years, bills have been introduced in five separate Congress' 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.
If the concern is cost of distribution of the Medal, I, for one, would be willing to obtain my own. I just feel that there needs to be more recognition than the cheesy piece of paper that has been authorized. What say you?
What is your opinion on the "Cold War Medal"?
Those of us that served between wars from 1945 through 1991 did not receive any recognition for keeping the Nuclear Peace. Over the years, bills have been introduced in five separate Congress' 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.
If the concern is cost of distribution of the Medal, I, for one, would be willing to obtain my own. I just feel that there needs to be more recognition than the cheesy piece of paper that has been authorized. What say you?
Posted in these groups: 
Cold War
Cold War
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 210
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I also agree with you that there should be more recognition to cold war vets. When I was in the Army from 77 to 80 I was in a unit where we were so under-staffed that we had to help each section fill in the positions that needed to be filled. Every year we had to go to a site where we kept our bad ass artillery . And we had to stand lock and loaded every shift for a month. It was really cold. And One time before we had to deploy to that area the front gate guards that were there before us got attacked and were killed! That is what we were informed by our superior officers. But as far as it goes I checked out the causalities of the cold war and none were reported. I guess it was because it was a highly sensitive area. So we did preformed our duties as we had to and at any minute that we should have been confronted we would counter attack. And as far as the intruders they also got killed by the front gate. So I guess with all the dedication that we applied all of us cold war vets. We do deserve a medal for the cold war.
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SP5 Joel O'Brien
My vote for the coldest Cold War location would be what was known for years as 'West' Berlin.
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PO3 Donald Murphy
Here's one my kids got me. A lot classier looking than anything the USA would come up with sadly...
http://www.awardmedals.com/cold-war-medal-p-707.html?cPath=282_21_33
http://www.awardmedals.com/cold-war-medal-p-707.html?cPath=282_21_33
Cold War Medal for Sale | British Forces Germany Medal Application
Visit Award for the British Forces Germany Medal Application and Cold War Medal for Sale, medals are available with optional engraving.
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MAJ Matthew Arnold
Yes, I like their Cold War commemorative medal much better than others. Its simple symbology is superior.
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The 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 States of Louisiana and Texas, 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. It may be worn 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.
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Official website for U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
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SPC Richard White
This has been an on going discussion it has been submitted 5 times only to be shot down by the DOD which has many reasons for denying such as costs which I find absolutely ridiculous in comparison for what was given to keep our country free and the bear from scratching at the door.
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CW3 Kevin Storm
SPC Richard White - the cost of the award pales in comparison to those who did not come home on Gander Air, Beirut, Korea, or the countless lives lost in training exercises.
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PO3 Donald Murphy
Here's one my kids got me. A lot classier looking than anything the USA would come up with sadly...
http://www.awardmedals.com/cold-war-medal-p-707.html?cPath=282_21_33
http://www.awardmedals.com/cold-war-medal-p-707.html?cPath=282_21_33
Cold War Medal for Sale | British Forces Germany Medal Application
Visit Award for the British Forces Germany Medal Application and Cold War Medal for Sale, medals are available with optional engraving.
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At first I can see why someone that served during the time of the "Cold War" should have a medal on their stack somewhere but then with further thinking the thought of those that served after those dates but before the Gulf War and those that served after the Golf War and the War on Terriorism. Aren't we also preparing for a war that may or may not happen? Does the National Defense Service Medal cover this? What about the next set of service members to join if/when the GWOT is over?
While I salute those of you that served during the Cold War and the fact that you served during probably the most unsteadiest time in US Military history; I'm just not sure a medal would be appropriate.
While I salute those of you that served during the Cold War and the fact that you served during probably the most unsteadiest time in US Military history; I'm just not sure a medal would be appropriate.
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PO3 Donald Murphy
SGT Ben Keen - In answer to your question, no, the NDSM does not cover it. It was only authorized during certain periods from 1947 - 1990. I served in the 80's and there is nothing. Yes we were preparing for war. As were the 2000+ per year who died during the 80's.
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It's my belief that a medal celebrating Cold War service is overdue. The problem is cost and logistics. Service members desiring the retroactive medal must bear the cost.
I did earn the NDSM twice. And was headed to combat operations twice, but was once deferred and reassigned at the last minute, and the second time, the war was over before I left the tarmac.
I did serve in some kind of 'sweaty' situations on a few occasions, and had loaded enemy guns pointed at me, but I never suffered live combat. Those that have earned, and continue to earn, my utmost respect.
I did earn the NDSM twice. And was headed to combat operations twice, but was once deferred and reassigned at the last minute, and the second time, the war was over before I left the tarmac.
I did serve in some kind of 'sweaty' situations on a few occasions, and had loaded enemy guns pointed at me, but I never suffered live combat. Those that have earned, and continue to earn, my utmost respect.
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I agree with a Cool War Service medal. I was in from 1980-2006. It's as if the first 9 years meant nothing to the politicians. It probably didn't. But it meant a lot to me and to everyone else who stood in the gap.
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Having served through the period and having deployed on many many cold war exercises Busy Brewer, Display Determination and many others. Working out of a NATO command post called Disco hit in Turkey. Plus seeing many troops injured and killed during these exercises. Damn right recognition in the form of a decoration is needed. I served in Missle SAC, and Bomber SAC, and USAFE.
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As a cold war vet from 82-91, I know the level of training then was hard, the alerts, the mad dash to the 1 k zone. Loading an unloading of nuclear weapons at all hours of the night for "black box" exercises, 30-45 day field exercise, REFORGER, NBC, NBC, and more NBC. You won't get an argument out of me. I am all for it!
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