Cold War Recognition Certificates are available to all members of the armed forces and qualified federal government civilian personnel who faithfully and honorably served the United States anytime during the Cold War era.

Who is eligible?

* All members of the armed forces and federal government civilian personnel who faithfully served the United States during the Cold War era, Sept. 2, 1945 to Dec. 26, 1991.

* National Guard and Reservists are eligible.

* Contractors and volunteers are not eligible.

* Those who are currently active duty military or civilian employees of the U.S. government are also eligible if they had at least one day of service during the Cold War era.

How to apply for a certificate

To apply for a certificate you must have been a U.S. government employee during the period of the Cold War. 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:

Commander, AHRC
Cold War Recognition, Hoffman II
Attn: AHRC-CWRS, 3N45
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332-0473

Fax: 1-800-723-9262

Due to the remarkable success of this program, turn-around time for mailing certificates will be a minimum of 2 months.

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). Examples of acceptable documents include a Leave and Earnings statement, DD214 or other Discharge Paper, or SF50 (Civilian Personnel Action Form.)

You may also contact the program administrators via phone (703) 325-5864 or email cwrs1@hoffman.army.mil.

A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans.

Who is eligible?

Eligible recipients include the deceased veteran’s next of kin and loved ones. More than one certificate may be provided.

Application

Eligible recipients, or someone acting on their behalf, may apply for a PMC in person at any VA regional office or by U.S. mail only. Requests cannot be sent via email. There is no form to use when requesting a PMC. Please be sure to enclose a copy of the veteran's discharge and death certificate (submit copies only, as we cannot return original documents).

If you would like to request a Presidential Memorial Certificate, or if you requested one more than eight (8) weeks ago and have not received it yet, we ask that you either:

1. Fax your request and all supporting documents (copy of discharge and death certificate) to: (202) 565-8054, or

2. Mail your request and all supporting documents using either the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial mail service, such as one of the overnight or express mail delivery services, to:

Presidential Memorial Certificates (41A1C)
Department of Veterans Affairs
5109 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-3903

If you have any questions about a certificate you have received, a request you have already sent in, or about the program in general, you may call (202) 565-4964.

PLEASE NOTE: The above telephone number is for questions about the Presidential Memorial Certificate Program only.