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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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IMHO...While a CW medal might be nice, I feel the money involved in producing it could be better spent elsewhere(and not used to support any portion of a certain wall that's been in the news). Yes, I served during a period of the Cold War(in West Berlin) but I don't feel the need for any special thanks for doing the job I did. That's my two cents!
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I served from '81 to '84. I spent 18 months in West Germany. I spent a week in Berlin, including 1 day in East Berlin. We were the first line of deterrence. Regardless of cost, the medal should be authorized and issued. The refusal from DoD prompts a question. How many of those is senior positions, today, served prior to '91?
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I remember having to go through training alerts and learning all about the Soviet War Machine. How was the US Army going to proceed in case the big one went off? And many other questions about what would happen. All the readiness that we went through, so yes i guess a proper recognition would be in order.
In this day and age we are all about inclusion and making sure we don't offend others by making them feel left out. Some would argue that was one of the reasons the Combat Action Badge (CAB) was introduced. And yet we wont recognize those who served and lived the Cold War. Wha a sham.
In this day and age we are all about inclusion and making sure we don't offend others by making them feel left out. Some would argue that was one of the reasons the Combat Action Badge (CAB) was introduced. And yet we wont recognize those who served and lived the Cold War. Wha a sham.
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Many have forgets that there was a Cold War. All the alerts and the training for the possibility of a huge war that could wipe out half the earth, those were some tense times.
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My whole unit was active duty during Desert Storm back in Germany guarding housing,fueling ammo...etc and I do believe that qualified for the medal
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Yes, it was earned. We even lost lives during this period. Bull Shit to the politics and make it happen.
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I know a company Medals USA has a nice looking medal for the Cold War, which would be nice to have. I know TX and LA authorize it as a State Award, and it would be nicer than that rather chintzy certificate they gave out a while back. I'd have no issue buying it, but would only do it if it was an authorized item, since the thought of "awarding" myself a medal rankles me.
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I will be very interested in seeing what happens with the new rules for Legion eligibility. In the past you had to have qualified for the NDSM to be eligible for the American Legion. The new rule makes all non-dishonorably discjarged veterans eligible for Legion membership. That may mean that eligibility for the NDSM will be updated in furthet recognition of the Cold War.
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Damn Right! For those who were in South Korea in and around the DMZ. 1979-1980, 1982-1983, CSC, B CO.1st Bn. 38th Inf. 2nd Inf Div. Both times in the DMZ. With the COB w/a star.
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