Recommendation for Authorization of the Cold War Medal for wear on the ACTIVE DUTY U.S. military uniform (all Service Branches) has been revised from its original projected year-date of 2023 to 2013, pending House initiation and Senate approval.

As you are already aware, the Cold War Medal could not be authorized in 1993 for wear on the ACTIVE DUTY uniform because the Cold War active duty military population (all members in all Service Branches) was far too large to be affordable. (Attempts by some members in the House of Representatives since 1993 to prematurely authorize the Cold War Medal for wear on the ACTIVE DUTY uniform have failed in the House due to its high budget cost; none of these previous attempts incorporated the provisions of Operation RetroActive Recognition that would have eliminated all Cold War Medal cost factors.)

DOD originally based the Cold War Medal ACTIVE DUTY wear on a thirty-year retirement/attrition formula. However, due to recent revisions in ACTIVE DUTY military service and retirement because of two large and unpopular military engagements, the projected date of authorized wear on the ACTIVE DUTY military uniform has been recommended for the year 2013, based on a twenty-year retirement attrition formula; at such time the active duty population in the U.S. military is projected to have reduced to a number that should reasonably support an affordable cost to the military should no additional military exigencies require priority spending demands.

Wear of the Cold War Medal on VETERANS UNIFORMS remains unchanged and may be worn. The Cold War Medal may be displayed in the Shadow Box. (See Order of Precedence on how to arrange wear and display of U.S. military honors.)

Eligible personnel should ensure the Cold War Medal is listed on your current 201A Military Award Report

Contact Person for this posting: Roger Simpson, PIO
Public Information Office
The American War Library/
817 East Via Carmelitos
Virginia Building 319 Long Beach CA 90805-7549
Phone / Fax: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

americanwarlibrary@pacbell.net

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This website established 15 June 2011