Cold War - Recognizing the Heroes

More of this Feature • Part 1: Watchtowers of Freedom  • Part 3: Sample Application Letter  Join The Discussion "What do you remember about the Cold War -- about the Cuban Missile Crisis -- about the time we almost really blew it? " AB-USGOVINFO   Related Resources • Cold War: Costs of Victory - US Spending $475 million to help Russia de-nuke. • Cuban Missile Crisis - October 1962, far too close for comfort. • Broken Arrows to Faded Giants - How the US Dept. of Defense refers to Nuclear accidents. • Nuclear Weapons: Pay Up to Clean Up - Costs to close and clean US nuclear weapons sites? Up to $195 Billion. • Nuclear Spring - 11 US nuclear bombs lost - never found.  From Other Guides • Most Dangerous Place on Earth - Russian nuclear weapons and waste - Environment • The Wall Came Tumbling Down - The fall of the Berlin Wall - Russian Culture • Cold War History - From Military History • Post-Cold War America - How have we done since the Cold War ended? - American History • Military Records - How to get yours - US Military  Elsewhere On The Web • Cold War Recognition Certificate - US Army  • Cuban Missile Crisis Chronology - Natl. Security Archives • Cold War - From CNN - Great resource for educators.

Eligibility

Anyone who worked for the U.S. Government at any time during the Cold War era, Sept. 2, 1945 through Dec. 26, 1991, is eligible to receive the Cold War Recognition Certificate, provided their service to the country was faithful and honorable. 

• Members of the National Guard and Reservists ARE eligible
• Government Contractors and volunteers ARE NOT eligible
• Current active duty military personnel or civilian federal employees ARE eligible. (Active duty military personnel should apply through their current unit chain of command.)

How to Apply

Eligible persons can apply for a Cold War Recognition Certificate either by visiting one of the two U.S. Army Web sites shown below, or by mailing or Faxing a request letter. [Sample Letter] to:

CDR PERSCOM
Cold War Recognition, Hoffman II
ATTN: TAPC-CWRS, 3N45
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332-0473

FAX to: 1-800-723-9262 or 1-703-325-2167

Any written request must contain the words, "I certify that my service was honorable and faithful" or it will be rejected.

While the Department of Defense is working to speed up the process, applicants can expect to wait up to a full year (12-months) to receive their certificate.

Documentation Required

Whether application is made online, or via mail or Fax, all applicants will be required to mail or fax documents proving their dates and category of service to the address shown above.

According to the Department of Defense, any document showing that the applicant was an employee of the U.S. government from Sept. 2, 1945 through Dec. 26, 1991 will be acceptable -- but MUST SHOW the applicant's name, Social Security Number, Military Service Number, or Foreign Service Number, and the dates of service.

An SF-50 -- as completed by the government agency -- is acceptable for civilians. For help in locating military service records, please visit Military Records, from About US Military Guide Rod Powers.

Note: Send COPIES only. Do Not send original of your documentation

Apply Online

Application for a Cold War Recognition Certificate can be made by visiting one of the two U.S. Army Web sites shown below: 

Service Request for U.S. Residents

Service Request for Non U.S. Residents

While both of these Web sites use a high level of security to prevent unauthorized people from seeing data sent to them, persons who are not comfortable sending their Social Security Number over the Internet should apply by mail or Fax as described above.

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