= N E W S R E L E A S E
=
= OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
= (PUBLIC AFFAIRS)
= WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301
=
= PLEASE NOTE DATE
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No. 146-99
(703)695-0192(media)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 1999
(703)697-5737(public/industry)
COLD WAR RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE APPROVED
Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen has approved a Cold War Recognition
Certificate for award to all members of the armed forces and federal
government civilian employees who faithfully served the United States during
the Cold War era, Sept. 2, 1945, to Dec. 26, 1991. Congress established the
Cold War certificate in Section 1084 of the fiscal 1998 National Defense
Authorization Act.
The legislation states in part:
"The Congress finds the following:
"During the period of the the Cold War, from the end of World War II until
the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States and the Soviet
Union engaged in a global military rivalry.
"This rivalry, potentially the most dangerous military confrontation in the
history of mankind, has come to a close without a direct superpower military
conflict.
"Military and civilian personnel of the Department of Defense, personnel in
the intelligence community, members of the foreign service, and other
officers and employees of the United States faithfully performed their
duties during the Cold War.
"Many such personnel performed their duties while isolated from family and
friends and served overseas under frequently arduous conditions in order to
protect the United States and achieve a lasting peace.
"The discipline and dedication of those personnel were fundamental to the
prevention of a superpower military conflict."
The Department of Defense designated the Department of the Army as the
executive agent for the Cold War Recognition Certificate program. The Army
has established a home page at http://coldwar.army.mil that explains the
correct procedures to request a Cold War Certificate. As previously
announced, requests will be accepted by Internet, fax or mail, beginning
today.
Individuals who request the certificate must certify that they served both
faithfully and honorably, whether as a member of the U.S. armed forces or as
a federal civilian employee during the Cold War era. Each mailed or faxed
request must be accompanied by official documentation verifying government
service during the Cold War era. Acceptable documentation includes any
government form that includes the applicant's name and social security
number or military service number or foreign service number, and the date of
service. Applicants should not send original documents to verify federal
service because the documents will not be returned to the sender.
The mailing address for requests for the certificate is:
Cold War Recognition
4035 Ridge Top Road
Suite 400
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
The fax number is (703) 275-6749. The electronic mail address is
coldwar@fairfax-emh1.army.mil. Requests sent by e-mail will not be acted
upon until the Fairfax office receives supporting documentation. Requests
made on-line will be maintained for one year to allow ample time for
individuals to forward supporting documents by fax or mail. Individuals
normally will receive a response within 30 days; however, the turnaround
time will depend upon the volume of requests received.
Applicants needing additional information may call the help desk at (703)
275-6279.
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