Cold War Era
Display Recognition

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      Example Display Recognition:
      Actual Size: 8 1/2 x 11
      All Five Service Branches, USAF, USA, USCG, USMC and USN are Applicable.


      Military Branches

      All Military Service branches are applicable:
      Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy

      Who May Apply

      • Veteran recipients
      • Active Duty recipients
      • Family Members of recipients
      • Estate Inheritors

      Display Types

      You have four display types to choose from:
      Black & White (No Color)
      Heavy Bond Enclosure

      Heavy Bond Enclosure
      Colors: Regal, Black, Navy
      Trimmed in Appearance Gold

      Ready for Mantle or Shelf Display


      Pictured: A laminated Shadowbox Patch of this Shadowbox patch is available. (Not for uniform wear)

      Issue Requirements
      You must submit the following:

    • An unaltered photocopy of your Report of Separation displaying your service between 28 September 1945 and 31 December 1991.
    • NOTICE

      This Display Recognition is available ONLY to authorized recipients who possess orders, or authorization form, or release documentation that confirms award eligibility. (See "Issue Requirements"). To obtain either a Display Medal or a Display Recognition for your authorized award you will be required to provide military-issued documentation authorizing your award. There are no exceptions.

      WARNING!
      You must NOT submit a military issued document or photocopy that:

      • has been altered in any way by you after
        the original's official issue
      • contains information or corrections or
        additions that you entered
      • lists awards or training you knowingly did not receive
      • contains highlighting, colorizing or other markings you entered

      Be advised that on request any knowingly fraudulent document sent by you will be released to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that may result in prosecution and/or fine/imprisonment.

      Email Questions, or Phone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

      Personnel Branch
      Processing and Delivery

      Style Admin Shipping Total
      Full Color .PDF (Printable) $7.50 Emailed $7.50
      Published Document only (Full Color) $14.00 $10.50 USPS $24.50
      Published Document in Heavy Bond Enclosure (Full Color) $19.00 $10.50 USPS $29.50
      Full Color Printable Certificates
      on CD-Rom (minimum 20 Certificates)
      $7.50 $7.50 By Count

    • *** USPS USPS Shipping fee based on 1 Certificate shipped to any U.S. state, FPO or APO
    • ** USPS USPS Shipping fee based on 1 Certificate shipped to any U.S. state, FPO or APO
    • Contact The War Library for international shipping cost
    • How to Apply

      You may apply for your Display Recognition using a...

    • Check Debit card (* Shipped within 1 week)
    • Charge card (* Shipped within 1 week)
    • Personal, Business, Bank or Cashiers Check ( Shipped in 6 weeks)
    • Money Order (* Shipped in 6 weeks)
    • (* Upon reception of required documentation)

      Complete and MAIL this APPLICATION FORM.
      Don't forget to include an unaltered COPY of your DD-214, WD AGO 53-55 or other pre-arranged document(s).

      DISPLAY RECOGNITION and/or MEDAL APPLICATION FORM

      Mailing Address

      Records Chief (REC-AMW)
      The American War Library
      817 East Via Carmelitos Ste 319
      Long Beach CA 90805-7549

      Questions?

      Click here for answers to common questions

      Email: Cold War Era Display Recognition Inquiry

      Telephone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

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      Issue Regulations: Cold War Era

      Click for larger image.

      The Cold War Medal (also known as the 'grey medal') supplements the official Cold War Era Certificate which is authorized to all active, Reserve, Guard and former military personnel of all Service Branches and all Nations allied in the Cold War against the Soviet Bloc who's military service or obligation was served between 26 September 1945 under President Harry S. Truman to 31 December 1991 under President George H.W. Bush. Members of the Merchant Marine must possess a DD-214 issued by the United States Coast Guard.

      Although the Cold War Medal may not be worn on the uniform of active duty military personnel, it may be worn on the uniform of all former service personnel during military Holiday's and celebratory occasions. The Cold War Medal may be displayed in shadow boxes. See the Order of Precedence for wear and display protocol.

      Wearing or Displaying The Cold War Medal

      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.

    • Active Personnel: The Cold War Medal may not be worn on the uniform of active duty US military personnel
    • Former Personnel: The Cold War Medal may be worn on the uniform of all former service personnel during military Holiday's and celebratory occasions. The Cold War Medal may be displayed in shadow boxes. See the Order of Precedence for wear and display protocol.

      The 'White Medal'

      A different Cold War Era medal (known as 'the white medal') was created and issued by the Louisiana National Guard. This 'white medal' has for several decades been promoted (and failed) by various private veteran's groups to be recognized as the 'official' Cold War Era medal despite it being created solely for the Louisiana National Guard, and even though the white medal is neither issued nor recognized by the National Guard Bureau. The white medal is not authorized to be worn on the Louisiana State NG uniform when a soldier is present on federal property (i.e., cannot be worn on US government military installations... such as Ft Polk, LA.)

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      Go To Issue Regulations for Other Medals and Badges