Cold War Victory Medal
The Cold War Victory Medal is a unofficial military medal of the United States of America which can be purchased by any member of the United States military, or civilian employees of the federal government, who served in their positions during the years of the Cold War. A Cold War Recognition Certificate is also authorized for those receiving the Cold War Victory Medal.
In Fiscal year 2002 the United States Congress passed legislation to approve the Cold War Victory Medal, however the language of the act did not “require” the United States Department of Defense to issue the medal. The offical US Air Force personnel web page simply states that the Department of Defense will not be creating a Cold War Service medal and that any commemorative medals made by private vendors are unauthorized on the military uniform.
The Congress realized the mistake in the wording of the legislation and the 108th session of the Congress has seen reintroduction of the Cold War Victory Medal Act as HR3388 which will require the DOD to award the Cold War Victory Medal. At present, however, the Cold War Victory Medal reamins strictly commemorative and unofficial.
The Cold War Victory 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 Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
Presently The Cold War Victory Medal is a civilian medal which is privately purchased and it is not distributed by the United States government. As such, the decoration is not presently authorized for wear on active duty military uniforms, but is frequently worn by retirees and civilians.
The Cold War Victory Medal is also referred to as the Cold War Commemorative Medal, Cold War Service Medal, or simply as the Cold War Medal. There are no devices or attachments authorized for the Cold War Victory Medal.