Cold War veteran hat and apparel collection
The Cold War era spans September 2, 1945, through December 26, 1991, the dates Congress used for the Cold War Recognition Certificate. Our collection pairs COLD WAR over VETERAN typography on an embroidered dad hat, a mesh-back trucker cap, and a garment-dyed heavyweight tee.
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Honoring Cold War deterrence and overseas service
From the close of World War II in September 1945 until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991, millions of American service members stood watch across West Germany, the Fulda Gap, Berlin, the North Atlantic, the Pacific, and strategic missile and air bases at home. Whether serving during the Berlin Airlift, on deterrent submarine patrols, or at forward NATO installations between the Korean and Vietnam conflicts or during the 1975–1990 readiness era, Cold War veterans maintained the peace through constant vigilance.
As part of our complete lineup of veteran hats and apparel, our Cold War collection offers a restrained, durable way to mark that era. Every item uses two-line typography—“COLD WAR” stacked over “VETERAN” with a horizontal rule between them—stitched into the front embroidery area on our hats and printed on the chest of our heavyweight cotton tee. Two hats, one for each of you: many families pair the unstructured cotton twill dad hat with the structured mesh-back trucker cap.
Official Cold War service dates per DoD and VA regulations
Two federal frameworks define Cold War service dates:
- Department of Defense Cold War period (September 2, 1945 – December 26, 1991): Under Section 1084 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (Public Law 105-85), Congress established the Cold War era as spanning September 2, 1945, through December 26, 1991, recognizing all members of the Armed Forces who served honorably during that 46-year period.
- VA wartime and peacetime periods under 38 CFR § 3.2: For Department of Veterans Affairs purposes under 38 CFR § 3.2, the Cold War timeline encompasses the Korean conflict (June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955), the Vietnam era (November 1, 1955 – May 7, 1975 in the Republic of Vietnam; August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975 elsewhere), and the beginning of the Persian Gulf War period (August 2, 1990 onward), as well as the post-Korea (February 1, 1955 – August 4, 1964) and post-Vietnam (May 8, 1975 – August 1, 1990) peacetime eras. Under 38 U.S.C. § 1131, service-connected disability compensation for peacetime Cold War service is paid at the exact same monthly schedule as wartime service.
Cold War collection: dad hat, trucker hat, and heavyweight tee
We offer the Cold War veteran design on three blanks so you can pick the style that fits your day-to-day routine:
- Cold War veteran dad hat (Yupoong 6245CM): An unstructured, 6-panel, low-profile cap with a 3 1/8″ (7.6 cm) crown, curved visor, 6 embroidered eyelets, and an adjustable strap with an antique buckle. Made of 100% chino cotton twill (blank product sourced from Vietnam or Bangladesh). Available in Black, Dark Grey, Khaki, Navy, Spruce, and Stone.
- Cold War veteran trucker hat (Yupoong 6606): A structured, six-panel, mid-profile cap with a low-profile embroidery area and a 3.5″ (8.9 cm) crown. Built with hard buckram front panels, a mesh back for warm weather, a Permacurv® visor with matching undervisor, and a plastic adjustable closure fitting head circumferences from 21 5/8″ to 23 5/8″ (54.9 cm to 60 cm). Fabric composition varies depending on color and available stock between 60% cotton / 40% polyester and 74% polyester / 26% cotton (blank product sourced from Vietnam or Bangladesh). Available in Black, Brown/Khaki, Charcoal/Black, Heather Grey/White, Moss/Khaki, and Navy/White.
- Cold War veteran tee (Comfort Colors 1717): A unisex garment-dyed heavyweight t-shirt made of 100% ring-spun cotton at a fabric weight of 6.1 oz/yd² (206.8 g/m²). Built with a relaxed fit, a 7/8″ double-needle topstitched collar, twill-taped neck and shoulders for extra durability, and double-needle armhole, sleeve, and bottom hems (blank product sourced from Honduras). Available in Black, Granite, Khaki, Moss, True Navy, and White.
To keep lettering legible across colors, we pair light thread or ink with Black, Navy, Spruce, Dark Grey, Charcoal/Black, Moss/Khaki, Navy/White, Brown/Khaki, True Navy, Moss, and Granite, and dark thread or ink with Khaki, Stone, Heather Grey/White, and White.
DoD trademark compliance and typography design
Under federal law (10 U.S.C. § 2260) and Department of Defense Instruction 5535.12, service-branch names, seals, insignia, unit patches, flags, and medals are protected trademarks that require a license. Our Cold War design uses clean two-line typography—“COLD WAR” over “VETERAN” with a dividing rule—honoring Cold War service without using restricted military marks.
Verifying service records and benefits
If you need to confirm overseas station assignments or active duty dates for a VA claim, check our guide on what is a DD214 and review current monthly compensation amounts in our VA disability pay chart. Looking for a gift for a family member who served in Germany, Korea, or at sea during the Cold War? See our guide to gifts for veterans.
Frequently asked questions
What are the official Cold War service dates recognized by the Department of Defense?
Under Section 1084 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (Public Law 105-85), the Cold War era is defined as September 2, 1945 (the formal end of World War II), through December 26, 1991 (the dissolution of the Soviet Union). Anyone who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces or as a federal government civilian employee during that period was recognized under the Cold War Recognition Certificate program.
How does the VA treat Cold War peacetime service for disability compensation vs. pension?
For service-connected VA disability compensation, peacetime and wartime service are paid at the exact same monthly rates (38 U.S.C. § 1131 incorporates the rate tables of 38 U.S.C. § 1114). The wartime distinction in 38 CFR § 3.2 applies primarily to non-service-connected Veterans Pension under 38 U.S.C. § 1521, which requires at least one day of active service during a statutory wartime period (such as the Korean conflict or Vietnam era).
Are these products official military issue or licensed with DoD branch seals?
No. Department of Defense regulations and federal law protect official military branch names, seals, insignia, unit patches, and medals, which require government licenses to reproduce. Our commemorative items use original lettering to honor Cold War service without copying protected military emblems.
How do the dad hat, trucker hat, and heavyweight tee compare?
The Classic Dad Hat (Yupoong 6245CM) is an unstructured, 6-panel, low-profile 100% chino cotton twill cap with a 3 1/8 inch (7.6 cm) crown and an adjustable strap with an antique buckle. The Retro Trucker Hat (Yupoong 6606) is a structured, six-panel, mid-profile cap with a 3.5 inch (8.9 cm) crown, hard buckram front panels, mesh back, and plastic adjustable closure (21 5/8 to 23 5/8 inches). The Comfort Colors 1717 tee is a relaxed-fit, garment-dyed 6.1 oz/yd² 100% ring-spun cotton t-shirt.
How can Cold War veterans verify their active duty service dates?
Veterans and next of kin can verify exact dates of entry and separation, foreign service time, and character of discharge on Block 12 and Block 24 of DD Form 214. Replacement copies can be requested online from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) through the National Archives eVetRecs portal or Standard Form 180.
Sources
- Public Law 105-85, Section 1084: Cold War Recognition Certificate (Nov. 18, 1997)
- 38 CFR § 3.2 — Periods of war
- 38 U.S.C. § 1131 — Basic entitlement (Peacetime disability compensation)
- DoD Branding and Trademark Licensing Program (DoDI 5535.12)
- National Archives — Request Military Service Records (DD Form 214)