Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 11/15/2004

Dear Sgt Shaft.

A tip of the old fedora to you for the many problems you solve for veterans and their families. I greatly appreciate your efforts to ease the lives of so many.

I have a question that pales to insignificance when compared with other problems you face, but I have become curious. I retired from the Air Force in 1967. My son retired from the Air Force in 1996. He insists that I am entitled to some ribbons that he was awarded: Short overseas tour, Long overseas tour, Interservice assignment and International unit assignment. In 1947/8 I was assigned to the 1st Inf. Div. in Germany, 1949/51 Hq FEAF in Tokyo, 1954/8 Hq Allied Air Forces Central Europe in France and 1963/6 Hq US European Command (Interservice), also in France. He also insists that I am entitled a "Cold War Certificate" for 40 years of government service. I was in the Norwegian underground and Army during and after WWII and he claims that I am entitled to wear any honors received as a result of any service in an allied nation. I don't agree, but am willing to let you be the arbitrator. If he should be right, how do I go about getting the medals on my record?

Again, thank you for your efforts on the behalf of veterans.

John B
MSG USAF (RET)
Stafford, VA

Dear John
Regarding your Ribbons and Awards the starting point has got to be your military record and those documented on your DD Form 214. Your DD Form 214 may have been updated. You should request a copy of the document by using the following WEB Page to submit a SF 180 per the instructions provided. That site will allow you to download the form for mailing. To write a letter is also allowed, however I suggest you use the SF180.

http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records/standard_form_180.html

Yes, you are eligible for the Cold War Certificate. Please use the following internet site to proceed:

https://www.perscomonline.army.mil/tagd/coldwar/default.htm - This link has gone stale (2/2/2010)

A gracious reader named Katie alerted us to the stale link and provided a resource for some timeline information about the Cold War:
http://www.usa-people-search.com/content-timeline-of-the-cold-war.aspx - 2/2/2010

And, lastly I'm identifying one final Web Page that will provide information on all US Military Awards and Decorations for the period you were in service. Included in the information is the criteria for award of each medal/ribbon. You should identify every award for which you might be qualified. Check the new DD form 214 that you receive to see if any of these awards are listed. If you are in fact eligible, then you will need a correction of military record to have the decoration(s) posted. The web site for foreign awards is:

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134833m_0996/p134833m.pdf

I hope this information helps you receive the appropriate medals. Thanks for your service.

Shaft notes
Congratulations to my good friend Leon Sanchez who has been appointed by Governor Mark R. Warner to a 4-year term on the Board of Veterans Services for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Board consists of 19 members that include three members of the House of Delegates, two members of the Senate, 11 non-legislative citizen members appointed by the Governor, the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services (ex-officio) and the Chairmen of the Board of Trustees of the Veterans Services Foundation and the Joint Leadership Council.
Leon served in the infantry and was wounded in Germany during World War II. He is member of all the major veterans’ organizations, and a volunteer for the Blinded American Veterans Foundation (BAVF).

Buddy Leon who lost a leg in combat during World War II has dedicated his life to not only veterans, but all of his fellow Americans.

A special thanks to the Military Officers Association of America's (MOAA) for their special education initiative which will enable More than 1,100 students to receive up to $4,000 each in interest- free loans for the 2004-2005 school year. Of those, about 400 students will be first-time recipients.

Students can apply online at MOAA's web site for the loans, which are awarded annually for up to five years of undergraduate study. Applicants must be children of MOAA members or of enlisted service members and be under the age of 24.

If such a child served in a Uniformed Service before completing college, however, his or her maximum age for eligibility will be increased by the number of years he or she served, up to five years. Applicants may be graduating high school seniors or full-time college students working toward their first baccalaureate degree.

Selections are made based on scholastic ability, potential, character community involvement and financial need.

MOAA will also award 25 grants to college seniors who are current loan recipients in the Program, 10 grants to children of deceased retired officers, and 16 grants to children whose military parent died in active service. Five of the 25 senior grants will be for $5,000 and the others will be $4,000 each. Also, 505 of the students who are Designated Scholars will receive a $3,500 interest-free loan and a $500 grant.

A Designated Scholarship is a permanent named grant that will continue in perpetuity. Each year both a grant and an interest-free loan are awarded in honor of the loved one, friend, or colleague designated by the donor.

The MOAA Scholarship Fund has given nearly 8,000 students interest-free loans totaling over $33 million since its inception in 1948.

For MOAA Scholarship Fund applications for the 2005-2006 school year, or for more information on making a contribution to the Fund, please visit MOAA's web site at www.MOAA.org/education or email edassist@MOAA.org.

Students may apply online beginning Nov. 1 ,2004.Theapplicationdeadlineis noon EST, March 1, 2005.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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