Cold War Certificates

etween 18 million and 22 million former and current service members and DoD civilians are eligible to receive certificates honoring them for their parts in winning the Cold War. All members of the armed forces and federal government civilian personnel who faithfully served the United States during the Cold War era (September 2, 1945 - December 26, 1991) are eligible for the certificate.

Applicants must present proof of service. Officials caution applicants, however, not to send original documents because they cannot be returned. Military personnel can use any of the following documents as proof of service: DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release/Discharge from Active Duty); WD AGO Form 53-55 (War Department Separation Document); or Oath of Office -- Military Personnel or Letter of Appointment.

Copies of these records can be obtained by writing to the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100.

Qualifying civilian service can be proved with a Standard Form 50 (Notification of Personnel Action); Standard Form 2809 (Health Benefit Registration Form); and award certificate with employee's name, name of service agency, and dates; or retirement forms with the employee's name, service or agency and dates.

Federal civilian personnel may obtain employment verification or copies of their records by writing to U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Employee Service and Record Center, PO Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017-0045.

Commander PERSCOM
Cold War Recognition, Hoffman II
Attn: TAPC-CWRS, 3N45
200 Stovall Street • Alexandria , VA 22332-0473
Phone: 703-325-6027
Fax: 800-723-9262, or 703-325-2167

Cold War Certificate Application

To apply for a certificate you must have been a U.S. government employee during the period of the Cold War. See the FAQ for full details. Follow these instructions to submit your application.

1) Fill out either the U.S. Resident or International Resident application depending upon your current mailing address. Required fields are marked with an asterisk.
2) Print the application. You must certify your honorable service by signing and dating the application, or your application will be rejected. If you are unable to print the application you may submit a signed and dated letter containing the same information as the application. You must include the phrase "I confirm my faithful and honorable service to the nation during the Cold War Era."
3) Mail or fax the application to the Cold War Office along with your supporting document to:

CDR, PERSCOM
Cold War Recognition, Hoffman II
Attn: TAPC-CWRS, 3N45
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332-0473
Fax 1-800-723-9262

An acceptable supporting document includes any official government or military document that contains the recipient's name, Social Security Number or Military Service Number or Foreign Service Number, and a date showing at least one day of service during the Cold War era (September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991).