There are an estimated 3,200 living U.S. WWI veterans, half of whom are believed to have served in France during the war. The Legion of Honor will not be given posthumously to U.S. veterans. I armistice on November 11, 1998. While VA will assist the French Embassy in verifying and authenticating veterans' records of service, the French government will make final determinations on the awarding of the Legion of Honor. Mailing addresses and a fax number will be released around March 15.
Applicants citing military service can present the following records as proof.
Congress established the Cold War certificate in Section 1084 of the fiscal 1998 National Defense Authorization Act. The Departrnent of Defense designated the Department of the Army as the executive agent for the Cold War recognition certificate program. As previous announced- requests will be accepted by Internet, FAX or mail, beginning April 6. Individuals who request the certificate must certify that they served both faithfully and honorably, whether as a member of the U.S. armed forces or as a federal civilian employee during the Cold War era. Acceptable documentation includes any government form that includes the applicant's name and social security number or military service number or foreign service number and the date of service.