Though the term “veteran” is often uttered in the same breath as “war,” many of America’s veterans served during times of peace. This includes thousands of veterans in the Veterans History Project archive who served during the period known as the Cold War era. While the Cold War may not have involved a formal declaration of war or clearly delineated front lines, it was anything but peaceful. Stretching from the immediate post-World War II years until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Cold War was marked by escalating struggles between the United States and its allies and the Soviet bloc. During this time period, the United States drew on the talents of a willing cadre of men and women who chose to join the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. Motivated not only by love of country and family tradition by also by the opportunities for education and travel offered by the military, these individuals served in a wide variety of non-combat roles. Here, we present stories of the Cold War, told by veterans in their own words.
