The
State of Louisiana National Guard Cold War Victory Medal
We would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of the Louisiana National Guard State Public Affairs Office. Without their assistance and support this document could not have been prepared. Similarly, we would like to thank the government and the State Military Command of the State of Louisiana for procuring for their state military veterans the type of recognition that is befitting the service of all our nation’s military, and to Foxfall Medals who took the initiative to design and develop the Cold War Victory Medal for all veterans of the Cold War.
The Louisiana National Guard Cold War Victory Medal is an official military service award of the State of Louisiana authorized for both its’ Army and Air state military components under Louisiana Army and Air National Guard Regulations LAARNG REG 672-1 and LAANGI 36-2803 dated 1 February 2000.
The following is a breakdown of the relevant sections of the official regulation as it relates to the Cold War Victory Medal service award:
Order of Precedence
(Section 1-6)
Paragraph 1-6 (b) states, “Service ribbons have replaced service medals in most cases however, a service medal will be awarded if currently in stock. Service medals are also optional purchase items, if available.” The Cold War Victory Medal is also noted as the Cold War Victory Ribbon as shown in the graphic above and both are interchangeable terms for the same award as detailed below:
Eligibility Requirements
Section (3-6): The Louisiana Cold War Victory Ribbon and Medal
a. The Louisiana Cold War Victory Ribbon will be awarded to any member or former member of the Louisiana National Guard who served honorably* for a period of at least eighteen months during the Cold War era, 8 May 1945 to 25 December 1991. This award was established on 1 July 1999 for those volunteers who served honorably during the Cold War era to uphold the country’s freedom in the face of a large and menacing enemy. The United States during that period of time was under a constant threat from the Soviet Union, which was pledged to destroy the Western way of life, and was the largest and most foreboding enemy the United States has ever faced.
b. Time served must be consecutive.
c. Only one award of the Cold War Victory Ribbon is authorized.
* Paragraph 1-7 (j) states, “Honorable Service. While any record of nonjudicial punishment could be in conflict with recognizing the soldier’s service as exemplary, such record should not be viewed as automatically disqualifying. The commander analyzes the record, giving consideration to the nature of the infraction, the circumstances under which it occurred and when. Conviction by court-martial terminates a period of qualifying service; a new period begins following the completion of sentence imposed by court-martial.”
Description of Award
Appendix A, Section 12, The Cold War Victory Medal and Ribbon*
a. Medal. The allegorical figure of Freedom sits upon a vantage point over-looking a landscape suggestive of the Fulda Gap, the anticipated point of attack by Communist forces in Europe during the Cold War. The Fulda Gap thus represents all territory subject to the threat of invasion or war. The sitting figure also alludes to a long-term and watchful military presence. She holds a sheathed Roman sword in her hand, point down. The sword represents military strength, and its being sheathed is symbolic of defensive military action. Her foot rests on a book, representing both history and law. To her right is an American bald eagle grasping a bundle of arrows and an olive branch. The eagle, symbolic of the United States, represents the principles of freedom. The arrows stand for the willingness to use force in support of freedom, and the olive branch alludes to the goal of peace. Behind the figure of Freedom, and on the horizon of the landscape in front of her, a sun rising in the east symbolizes the birth of a new era of peace and stability arising from the end of the Cold War. Superimposed over the geographic scene, and below the rising sun, is the inscription, Promoting Peace and Stability, which is taken from the wording on the Congressional certificate and which identifies the efforts recognized by the medal. The reverse will have in the center of the medal, the inscription, IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR SERVICE, is enclosed within a stylized wreath of laurel, which represents honor. The wreath is tied at its base by a ribbon, the ends of which rise above a shield taken from the coat of arms of the United States. The dates 2 September 1945 - 26 December 1991, which are taken from the Congressional certificate, appear beneath the inscription.
b. Ribbon. In the center of the ribbon there is a narrow stripe of red, representing courage and the willingness to sacrifice life for freedom. This red stripe is bordered by a narrow stripe of gold, which alludes to honor and achievement. The gold is bordered by black, which stands for the threat of war, and the black is bordered by green, which represents growth, hope, and life. The green is edged in gold, which is bordered by white, the predominant color of the ribbon and which represents integrity and purity of purpose. The ribbon is edged in gold.
* CWVA note: The medal and ribbon described in the regulations above were originally commissioned, patented and trademarked by Foxfall Medals of Madison, Virginia and were 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 Outstanding Military Volunteer Service Medal).
Wear on the Uniform
Section (9-4) Wearing of Service Medals and Ribbons
b. Manner of Wearing Louisiana Service Medals and Ribbons. Louisiana service medals and ribbons will be worn to the left of all Louisiana decorations in the order of precedence indicated in Chapter 3 of this regulation. (Shown earlier in graphic representation in this document)