Should there be a 'Cold War Medal'

Groundhugger · 06-02-2010, 11:52 PM

Having a talk about 'Medals ' in the Pub , the conversation turned to the 'Cold War' saying that it wasn't a 'War ' and as such , how could you have a medal ! the other side of the coin was there would be no one to hand out medals if the 'Cold War' turned 'Hot' , you couldn't hand out 'Hot War ' medals ,
So is a 'Cold war' medal a go-er or not ,I think it should be !
what do you think !

Ropi · 07-02-2010, 12:13 AM

I think it should be awarded to people who didn't let it turn hot!

von Poop · 07-02-2010, 12:25 AM

Added a poll GH, hope that's OK.

~A

James Daly · 07-02-2010, 12:48 AM

The name 'cold war' is perhaps a little misleading, as it makes us compare it to the world wars, when it was a very different beast.

The Cold War was a long, drawn out series of confrontations, often by proxy, in all continents between around 1945 and 1989. How many smaller conflicts were a part of the Cold War? Greek Civil War, Malaya, Borneo, Suez, Aden, Vietnam, and various wars between Israel and the Arab states to name but a few... and then theres the deterrent nature of the NATO and Warsaw pact forces eyeballing each other in Europe for over 40 years.

I think to label the Cold War 'not a real war' because it wasnt like the second world war is like saying the wars of the roses werent like the hundred years war. It might not have been a traditional set piece war, but for the men who were caught up in its various conflicts, or on the tripwires in Europe, it can hardly have been a picnic.

Where medals are concerned, I guess the issue is, do you award medals for the various 'wars' within the Cold War, for the broader conflict itself, or both? Its about where to draw lines I guess, the age old issue with campaign medals...

Oldman · 07-02-2010, 09:13 AM

The Americans did not issue a medal for the cold war but a certificate if you served any time between 1945 and 1990 (unsure if dates are correct) which you could apply for if you where posted to europe both as civilian and military.

Ron Goldstein · 07-02-2010, 09:17 AM

Sorry, couldn't vote, as I looked in vain for a "not really bothered" button.

Ron

Len Trim · 07-02-2010, 03:36 PM

Would I qualify for one? I seem to remember doing a lot of drinking in a pub in Berlin called Joe's Bar in 75/6. Surely worthy of a medal

Len

von Poop · 07-02-2010, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Goldstein

Sorry, couldn't vote, as I looked in vain for a "not really bothered" button.

Ron

Rectified.
~A

idler · 07-02-2010, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Daly

How many smaller conflicts were a part of the Cold War? Greek Civil War, Malaya, Borneo, Suez, Aden, Vietnam, and various wars between Israel and the Arab states to name but a few...

Where medals are concerned, I guess the issue is, do you award medals for the various 'wars' within the Cold War, for the broader conflict itself, or both? Its about where to draw lines I guess, the age old issue with campaign medals...

But medals were issued for the hot bits of the cold war period, even if it was 'only' a General Service Medal.

James Daly · 07-02-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idler

But medals were issued for the hot bits of the cold war period, even if it was 'only' a General Service Medal.

Indeed, I know thats long been the policy. I know theres been a lot of clamouring by veterans of the Yangtze incident, Suez and other small post 1945 wars for a campaign medal, and whilst I admire their wanting recognition I wonder where you draw the line - especially if participation entitles you to the General Service Medal.

View Poll Results: Should there be a 'Cold war Medal'
Yes	8	24.24%
No	21	63.64%
Not really bothered	4	12.12%
Voters: 33. You may not vote on this poll

06-02-2010, 11:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Groundhugger Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 89	Should there be a 'Cold War Medal' Having a talk about 'Medals ' in the Pub , the conversation turned to the 'Cold War' saying that it wasn't a 'War ' and as such , how could you have a medal ! the other side of the coin was there would be no one to hand out medals if the 'Cold War' turned 'Hot' , you couldn't hand out 'Hot War ' medals , So is a 'Cold war' medal a go-er or not ,I think it should be ! what do you think !

07-02-2010, 12:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ropi Biggest retard of all Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: behind something that resists small arms fire Posts: 211	I think it should be awarded to people who didn't let it turn hot! __________________ Arthur "I refuse to accept reality!" Polak, Węgier, dwa bratanki, i do szabli, i do szklanki. Lengyel, magyar – két jó barát, együtt harcol, s issza borát. All this stands for this: The Pole and Hungarian two brothers, both with the saber, and with the glass. "Sure it matters who's got the bigest stick, but it matters hell of a lot more who's swinging it."

07-02-2010, 12:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
James Daly Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 637	The name 'cold war' is perhaps a little misleading, as it makes us compare it to the world wars, when it was a very different beast. The Cold War was a long, drawn out series of confrontations, often by proxy, in all continents between around 1945 and 1989. How many smaller conflicts were a part of the Cold War? Greek Civil War, Malaya, Borneo, Suez, Aden, Vietnam, and various wars between Israel and the Arab states to name but a few... and then theres the deterrent nature of the NATO and Warsaw pact forces eyeballing each other in Europe for over 40 years. I think to label the Cold War 'not a real war' because it wasnt like the second world war is like saying the wars of the roses werent like the hundred years war. It might not have been a traditional set piece war, but for the men who were caught up in its various conflicts, or on the tripwires in Europe, it can hardly have been a picnic. Where medals are concerned, I guess the issue is, do you award medals for the various 'wars' within the Cold War, for the broader conflict itself, or both? Its about where to draw lines I guess, the age old issue with campaign medals... __________________ Daly History - Military, Local, Naval, Maritime, Family History, and the musings of a young Historian Remembering the people of Portsmouth who served and died in the Second World War, 1939-1947 Latest Reviews of Military and History books "You might be proud of them.... but would THEY be proud of YOU?"

07-02-2010, 09:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
Oldman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 633	The Americans did not issue a medal for the cold war but a certificate if you served any time between 1945 and 1990 (unsure if dates are correct) which you could apply for if you where posted to europe both as civilian and military. __________________ All Gave Some Some Gave All

07-02-2010, 12:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
von Poop Adaministrator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: The Abbey of Thelema Posts: 8,596	Added a poll GH, hope that's OK. ~A

07-02-2010, 09:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: London, England Posts: 2,398	Sorry, couldn't vote, as I looked in vain for a "not really bothered" button. Ron __________________ If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when? Rabbi Hillel circa 30 BCE I was "Called-up" in Oct 1942 Served as a Driver/Op (Wireless Operator) with the 49th LAA (78 Div) from Apr 1943 to Dec 1944 (North Africa,Sicily,Italy, Egypt). The Regiment was disbanded in Dec 1944 and I was retrained (in Italy) by the RAC I then served as Loader/Op with the 4th QOH (56 Div) from Mar 1945 to Jan 1946 (Italy, Austria, Germany) finally finishing up as Tech Cpl. for "A" Sqdrn. I was "De-mobbed" in Apr 1947

07-02-2010, 03:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
Len Trim Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 92	Drinking in Berlin? Would I qualify for one? I seem to remember doing a lot of drinking in a pub in Berlin called Joe's Bar in 75/6. Surely worthy of a medal Len

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