|
Military actions in United States Military history have resulted in the US Government creating a military award for the defense of the particular theater or portion of the globe in which the action occurred. This has not been done in the case of the successful defense of Europe during the Cold War 1945-91, through an apparent oversight, probably because the end of the Cold War in Europe occurred about the same time as the Persian Gulf War was fought.
Misinterpreted by some as simply a period of peace, the Cold War in Europe was the longest war in our nation's history. Individual men and women of the US Military were stationed, deployed, and involved within the European continent and theater of operations. Yet no recognition has been received for their service. Now is the time for our nation to recognize the efforts of those individuals for their service overseas.
The last US Military death in the Cold War in Europe was US Army Major Arthur D. Nicholson, killed by a Soviet soldier in 1985. Many others were killed, wounded or lost before him in a war fought by about 5 Million US-NATO Allied Military Forces to prevent Soviet Union-Warsaw Pact Military Forces from invading Western Europe.
For example, there are cases of US aircraft and their crews being shot down across Eastern European borders. Also, US Military personnel were subject to terrorist actions from the Marxist Red Army Faction and similar organizations. Then on the front, and on the northern and southern flanks, border clashes and hostile encounters with opposing forces occurred.
All service in Cold War Europe was not combative, as in other theaters of operations where campaign medals have been awarded.. But in the preparation for combat, standing guard, and manning outposts on traditional invasion routes into Europe from the East along the borders of the Soviet States, and other areas, many US Military personnel suffered and endured in the cold and heat in silence while separated from their families, friends and loved ones.
Many remember the alerts, not knowing if it were the real event for which they had trained. However, they stood their posts ready to fulfill their responsibility to protect Europe, recognizing that if it were the "Real Thing," they were to serve and fight, to be a "speed bump," to slow down the Soviet-Warsaw Pact Divisions until additional help could arrive to repel the invaders.
US President Dwight D. Eisenhower recognized the importance of the Cold War in Europe when he stated, "There is but one way to avoid Total War - that is to win the Cold War."
The Cold War in Europe was won by US-NATO Allied Military Forces on December 25, 1991, when the USSR-Warsaw Pact collapsed and ceased to exist. Now is the time to belatedly recognize the solid and honest efforts of those quiet US Cold Warriors who "Made it Happen" in Europe.
Sign the Europe Defense Service Medal Petition--click HERE
For more information or to help further - contact EDVA HQ
|
|
