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                         February 1, 2002

Defense Department decides not to create cold war medal

By Staff Sgt. Marcia Triggs

WASHINGTON (Army News Service) -- The Department of Defense will not be creating a Cold War Service medal, and Army officials are warning that any commemorative medals made by private vendors are unauthorized on the military uniform.

"After careful consideration, it was decided not to create a medal," said Brad Loo, deputy director of Officer and Enlisted Management Personnel for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

"Throughout the Cold War, commanders used a full spectrum of individual, unit and service awards to recognize the achievements and sacrifices of service members," Loo said.

The Cold War is regarded as the period in history beginning at the end of World War II until the Soviet empire collapsed, or as Loo said, from 1945 until 1991.

Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen approved a Cold War Certificate. The certificate recognizes all service members and federal employees who faithfully served in the United States military during the Cold War era, Loo said.

Last year an unidentified source caused confusion by sending an e-mail to individuals informing them that a Cold War medal had been approved, and attached a picture of the medal to the e-mail, said Arlette King, chief of policy for the Army Award Branch.

"We’ve tried to correct the issue by putting out messages on our Web site stating that there is not an authorized medal," King said. "This is America and anyone can purchase the commemorative medal from private vendors, just not wear it on his or her uniform."

There are several different designs of medals being offered on the Internet and some are even being sold at military clothing sales stores.

It is against the law to wear an unauthorized medal on the military uniform, said Master Sgt. Kittie Messman, the uniform policy noncommissioned officer for the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel.

"Whoever knowingly wears a medal not authorized by Congress ... shall be fined or imprisoned not more than six months or both," Messman said, "according to Title 18, Section 704, Military Medal or Decorations."