Bill > S1970

This bill seeks to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the members of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam-Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG) in recognition of their extraordinary service during the Vietnam War. The bill highlights MACV-SOG's critical role in conducting high-risk covert operations in North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1964 to 1972, including reconnaissance, sabotage, rescue missions, and psychological operations. The legislation emphasizes that MACV-SOG was a joint special operations unit comprising Army Special Forces, Navy SEALs, Marines, Air Force personnel, and CIA operatives, who worked closely with indigenous forces and suffered significant casualties, with approximately 1,579 members listed as missing or killed. The bill recognizes the group's innovative tactics and profound impact on North Vietnamese operations, noting that they diverted up to 50,000 troops from offensive missions. After the medal's presentation, the gold medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with the intent to honor these service members whose covert work remained largely unacknowledged for decades. The Secretary of the Treasury will be responsible for striking the medal, and duplicate bronze versions may be sold to cover production costs. The legislation aims to formally recognize the bravery and significant contributions of MACV-SOG to United States military history.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1970/all-info