16th

Is it Time for a Cold War Victory Medal?

April 2010

A Cold War Victory Medal

The idea is not a new one, in fact, and has been debated often in both the House and the Senate.   There are pros and cons to the issue.  Some, myself included, think we have too many ribbons and medals.  Such items as the GWOTSM and various specific duty ribbons don’t seem quite right to me, especially on a Marine uniform.  Other awards have far more meaning.  Gravitas, if you will.   So my natural tendency would lean away from yet another medal/ribbon/award.  (Lord knows the teasing that National Guard folks get about the “Good Posture Medal” and “Perfect Attendance Ribbon”.)

Yet, as the end of the Cold War nears two decades distant, like a person stepping away from a massive structure whose grandeur is lost in the visible details, the immense and dangerous efforts and exertions of our service men and women during the Cold War comes more clearly into proper perspective. Those efforts, nearly incomprehensible today,  seem appropriate for some form of special recognition.  The Cold War involved all of the aspects of a hot one, with the overarching understanding that failure of the efforts of both deterrence and readiness would lead to annihilation on a scale unknown in man’s history.

Beginning in the Summer of 1945, and lasting until the fall of the Soviet Union in December 1991, the Cold War was a constant and exhaustive effort, requiring large amounts of forces, materiel, and deployments, even during times of open war in other places.  USAF F-86 Sabre jets were not initially deployed to the Korean peninsula as it was feared that a weakening of US continental air defenses would provide the Soviets with opportunities for a nuclear strike.   Despite the demands for US Navy presence off the coast of Vietnam, the US 6th Fleet maintained an extremely powerful presence in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

The crews of strategic bombers, missile silos, Navy ships and at sea, Marine Corps and Army forces forward deployed or rapid deployment echelons, lived lives of constant vigilance, uncertainty, and seemingly endless drills and preparations to maintain razor-sharp skills.

Those whose jobs were active surveillance of Soviet and Soviet Bloc hostile nations played a very dangerous game with an unremitting enemy.  The shooting down of Deep Sea 129 (highlighted by SteelJaw’s excellent post), loss of USS Scorpion (SSN-589), capture of USS Pueblo (AGER-2), and many other hostile incidents, resulted in 382 US casualties formally recognized (according to the VFW).  When one counts lives lost during the Berlin Airlift and many other occurrences that remain behind a shroud of secrecy, the number is far higher.

As I said in the opening paragraph, my instinct is almost always to shy away from yet another award for the slightly-better-than-ordinary.  We have far too many already.

But for those who served this nation during the prolonged era of tension, readiness, deterrence, loss, sacrifice, courage, and ultimately, victory that encompassed the 46 years of the Cold War, it may be time that recognition is due.    Their efforts, whether they fired in anger or not, that secured our freedom during those years, was truly extraordinary.  What does the MILBLOG crowd have to say?


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Posted by UltimaRatioReg in Air Force, Army, Aviation, Coast Guard, Foreign Policy, History, Marine Corps, Maritime Security, Navy, Uncategorized

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  • http://srobin@wildblue.net Marshal Robin

    I agree with Mr. Ramsay, to a point. IF DOD would make the approved medal the official Cold War Victory Medal for the Cold War Vets, That makes it to where you can wear it on your uniform, meaning more vets are likely to buy it.Id DOD was to put a tax of some kind on it, or that so much of the sale of the item goes to
    the VA. or to help our disabled vets, or families who have lost a close family member (father-mother,) in these wars. That makes this Medal worth even more to know that you not only served your country once before, but your serving it once again by helping out a disabled vet or a brother or sister in arms who gave it all. And now their familys need help. Their are millions of Cold War Vets out there, I mean a couple dollar tax on the medal
    to go into a program like that, how many millions are you looking at that could help other vets, and their families. Mr. Ramsay, I
    just have one request from you. I only ask that you not call the Cold War Victory Medal for the Cold War Vets. a souvenir, a
    souvenir is something you would get at a truck stop along route
    #66. Like those spoons that have each state on them, and as you go through a stats you collect that spoon, thats a souvenir. I
    spent four years of my life defending this nation and her people and way of life. I took an oath to obey those appointed above me
    no matter what those orders might be even if it ment I might loose my life following them. I stood on foriegn soil for over two years in an M60A1 tank guarding Fulda Gap. In a country where half the population didnt want me there. In combat an infantry
    mans life span is 16-seconds, in combat an armor crewmans life-
    span is 9-seconds, Fulda was the only opening for the East Germans and the Soviets to bring their tanks through, they out numberd us three tanks to one of ours. Meaning we had to be able to knock out three of their tanks, before they could get to us.
    We had to be very good at what we did in order to survive, and that was to be able to kill at a very fast rate, or be killed,
    because your sitting in a moving bomb, waiting to go off, or for someone to set it off. Oh well. Gotta love it, which in ways I did love the Army. It was good to me, as long as I was good to it, thats all it ever requierd of us. I dont think that was asking to much. Anyway GARY OWEN to you and we be se’in you at the FIDDLER’S GREEN, 3rd sqd. 7th. Cav. 3rd. Inf. Div. Rock Of The
    Marne, 1980-1983 USAF-1972

  • http://srobin@wildblue.net Marshal Robin

    I am very pro-active about the Cold War Victory Medal for the ghost soldiers (the forgotten ones,) of this nation, who have gone far to long with out recognition of their service and sacrifices for the safety and the security that they provided for over 50 yrs for the American people, and the protection of American soil. I was re-reading some of the comments above and I know that we all are intitled to our own opinions. That is why I served in the Army was to protect that right. But I find Cdr. Salamanders comment, quite
    amusing, and I quote,( No, no medal or another blight on what little green space left on the mall in DC needed – Though I would like a chance to box YNSN’s ears; ” However, once all you COLD WARRIORS
    start passing away en mass…..”, ” Harump. I’ll give you mass.”)
    These are words coming from a commander? An American commander. I
    dont care which branch of sevice you served in, meaning as an officer with a command, your soldiers well being, their security and
    safety, their moral are all placed above your own, you place them first. From your writtings I dont find you to be that kind of a commander, one that his troops would follow to hell and back, and if you want to come and box my ears I’m more than ready and willing, but it wont be my ears you’ll be a boxing, I’m a get down in the dirt and mud 7th cav Gary Owen kick your butt from here to hell and back kind of guy. Thats what I was trained to do, and I do what I was trained to do very well. So bring what you think you got on big guy. I wouldnt underestimate YNSN either, he might supprise you. And your statement ” However, once all you COLD WARRIORS start passing away en mass…” “Harump”. I’ll give you “mass.” You know we lasted from 1948-1990. We saw the rise of the Soviet Union and then we saw it DIE, we saw the rise of HOE CHE MING, and we saw him DIE. Do you know the song by the RollingStones, Time Is On Our Side. It truely is on our side. Just like the Soviet Union, and the Great chineese communist dictator, as they and many more like them passed away en mass…. because of us Cold Warriors. I beleive that there will still be (millions,) more than enough of us (COLD WAR VICTORY VETS,) around to “HARUMP. GIVE YOU MASS.” Garry Owen to ya, here’s hopen ya make it to Fiddler’s Green. But you need a change of attitude toward your soldiers, if’n your goin to make it there.

  • Joe Brulotte

    Authorizing the NDSM instead of a Cold War Victory Medal should be sufficient recognition for our service during the “Cold War”.
    It would also be cost efficient for the government. As for Congress, many of our elected representatives have never even served in the military, let alone faced the forces of the Soviet Union.

  • joe mansfield

    Are we all, who are in favor, not preaching to the quior? Indeed, time is of the essence. Contact your Congressman&Senators….NOW IS THE TIME!!! For you DUDS who are critical…Where the flyin’whoopa did you serve? I wouldn’t drink a beer with the likes of you!!! You Duds stink!!! jomama15CAV4ADSchwabach,Germany1958-62

  • MacMarine

    Cold War Veterans should receive a service medal for their part in securing America during a critical time in history. According to the veterans Administration “Not” including Vietnam 109 thousand military personnel died. that’s twice as much as Vietnam. The VA never said where these active duty personnel died but it was during the Vietnam years and during the Cold War. Now this information came from the Veterans Administration probably via the Department Of Defense. I have a copy of that information however it no longer exists on the internet. But Im in full agreement of this medal, it should be issued and you can then get all you can get at the VA in terms of medical. Which is probably why the gov’t does not want to issue the medal because of the benefits they would have to pay out.

  • Essayons

    There were more U.S. combat casualties (382) during the “cold times” of the Cold War than during the “hot war” of Desert Storm (147) and only 3 less casualties than the Spanish American War (385) (using only unclassified sources of confirmed U.S. Cold War casualties)…and that’s NOT counting Korea and Vietnam! (They were part of the Cold War and did not happen in a vacuum. Korean combat casualties were 33,686 KIA and Vietnam’s were 47,410 and should be included.)

    There were 1,870 training and “operations” deaths annually during my Cold War Service time (1984-1991). That was a higher U.S. total death rate than there has been in the Global War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan COMBINED!

    THE COLD WAR WAS A REAL WAR AND WE WON!

    We beat the Soviet Union…the EVIL EMPIRE…and a Cold War Victory Medal is warranted. The communists MURDERED over 100 MILLION people during the 20th Century and WE DEFEATED THEM and we did it without a nuclear exchange. Does anyone really think that that “just happened” or we got lucky? The fact that there are now college graduates and currently serving troops that don’t even know what the Cold War was or that there was an Iron Curtain shouts the need for some sort of recognition for Cold War veterans.

    The congress authorized the medal TWICE and the SecDef killed it. WWI, WWII vets got victory medals. Korean vets got the KDSM. Vietnam vets got the VSM. Cold War victors deserve no less.

  • Big Sarge

    I can’t see why someone would have a problem with anyone who signed their life away to Serve the USA to be recognized for their Military Service. I feel there should be a Cold War Victory Medal for those who served just like any other conflict. Are you saying our Serve was not important and meant nothing? It does not matter how long it takes as long as it’s given.

  • Mitchell

    I don’t think an Cold War medal,will ever be awarded.My friends and I were seving in the Cold War, in Germany, during Occupation, 1949- 1952, we were 19 and 20 yr old then.I know alot of them guys are gone, I am now 81, close to 82.To us it was a Cold War, Russians threated the Forces in Germany all the time. Off duty,we wore class A all the time.Would be nice to receive the medal.

  • http://N/A tony levy

    As a U.K. vet haveing served from 1972-1984 with 6 years in western Germany,and never haveing fired a shot in anger, i have no service medals, only a crappy tin veterans badge, H.M. goverment will not authourise a cold war service medal. As you are well aware we on this side of the water have the same problems as you, the bum shufflers and desk bound commandos who never served, and have no conseption of service life will not, and can not bring themselves to acknowledge our contribution to the dismanteling of the russian fedaration,a good many of my freinds died in service,and many more injured and discharged in wheelchairs. Our politicians cite the cost of producing millions of medals prohibative, others have the victorian attitude of use and dispose, we are for all intense and purposes, disposable items.

  • William Wallace

    All,

    Thank you for your service. I was right there with you from 1983 to 1991. It was the heady time of the Six Hundred Ship Navy, the M-60A3 Tank on station near the Fulda Gap, Bombers constantly in orbit, and Marines at the ready aboard floats all over the world. We all served faithfully and stood a post with the constant threat. Maybe we were the only ones who breathed a huge sigh of relief when the wall fell and “We won.” But it was a Victory like none other…and countless soldiers, sailors and airmen sacrificed for that huge success.

    Magnanimity in victory does not require us to disrespect the officers and men who came when called, served where needed, and went home only when properly releived…to preserve our freedoms until the threat was defeated.

    The debate about too many ribbons or medals is a fool’s diversion that takes a huge accomplishment and renders it a petty errand. For all of you who felt the slap in the face after Vietnam, the argument over ribbons is the backhanded return blow.

    Pass the Victory Medal in Congress, Strike a handsome medal, and Honor those who served. To debate it at all is a disrespect beyond measure.

    Thank you again for your service.

    Sincerely,

    William D. Wallace
    1LT, EN, USAR

  • Leslie “Clay” Cooper SSgt USAF Ret

    The Cold War was if not more lethal than being in combat. Servicemen were exposed to chemicals, radiation, biological and environmental conditions to name a few and paid there price with their lives. My Father was on the original Titan II Missile Propulsion Team and was exposed to Class “A” poisons, radiation from nukes and no telling what else. Yet when his health took a nose dive, the VA looked the other way, Ya’ What’s new! The Cold War was a full blown War, instead of being killed by the enemy; they took a bullet still the same and died of cancers and other horrible deaths.

  • Bruce Storace

    This medal is no different than the World War II Victory Medal which was given to soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines (our fathers) at the end of that war. From 1945 to 1991 soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines served our country fought and died defending our freedom. The base I was stationed at in Korea was overrun in 1950 airmen died- I was there 19 1/2 years ) later 1969 in 1970 I was within 2 klicks of the DMZ (the Bamboo Curtain) . Do we deserve less– no we deserve the same recognition for our part (our blood, sweat and tears) in ending the Cold War.

  • Mitchell

    I served in Frankfurt 19 years old when I arrived in Germany.1949-1952 The frauleins kept us informed on what the Russians had to say almost daily.And it got worst, when the Auobaund was closed to wEST Berlin, ALONG WITH THE TRAINS THAT LEFT EVERY MORNING TO Berlin.I’d say 59 years, its past time to award the Cold War medal.

  • frank j mandel sr

    i spent 3 years active duty in germany 1952 to 1955 during the korean war. if those of you out there think we were not in danger of east block and russian tanks facing you every day and the many alerts we went thrue read the casulty and deaths that accured during those years.i am still waitng for that medal we all deserve, you cant pin a certificate on your chest and march in a veterans day parade. a proud usaf veteran that served with honor with many of my brothers.

  • disqus_odbWEfU6Oy

    I am an individual who served from 1978 to 1986. And served on a Nuclear Fast Attack submarine in the Soviet’s back yard for 4 of those years. Yet, I don’t even rate a National Defense Service Medal. And folks want to begrudge my desire for a Cold War Victory Medal. I’m sorry the post Cold War service hands out Ribbons and Medals like Halloween candy. It wasn’t that way back when I served…. I guess I should apologize for the COLD WAR not being a shooting war. Yeah… Things would have been much better if we used those Nukes!!!!

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