MACV–SOG Congressional Gold Medal Act

119th Congress Introduced by Mark Alford and 9 co-sponsors

HR 5993 honors MACV–SOG service members with a Congressional Gold Medal, recognizing their bravery in Vietnam and ensuring their legacy is preserved at the Smithsonian.

Introduced in House

Purpose and Intent

The MACV–SOG Congressional Gold Medal Act (HR 5993) aims to honor the service members of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam-Studies and Observations Group (MACV–SOG) by awarding them a Congressional Gold Medal. This recognition is intended to acknowledge their bravery and outstanding service during the Vietnam War, particularly in the challenging environments of South Vietnam, North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Key Provisions

Award of Congressional Gold Medal:

The Act authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a single gold medal to MACV–SOG service members.
The design of the medal will be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.

Display and Research:

After the presentation, the gold medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research purposes.
Congress expresses a sense that the medal should be made available for display at relevant locations and events associated with MACV–SOG.

Duplicate Medals:

The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover costs associated with production.

Financial Provisions:

The Act allows for the use of funds from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to cover the costs of the medals.
Proceeds from the sale of duplicate medals will also be deposited back into this fund.

Background and Significance

MACV–SOG was established in January 1964 as a joint military task force conducting high-risk operations during the Vietnam War.

The unit is recognized for its innovative tactics and significant impact on the war, with many of its members having received high honors, including twelve Congressional Medals of Honor.

The operations carried out by MACV–SOG were often covert, leading to a lack of public recognition for their sacrifices until recent years.

Affected Parties

The primary beneficiaries of this legislation are the service members of MACV–SOG and their families, who will receive formal recognition for their contributions and sacrifices during the Vietnam War.

The broader military community and historians will also benefit from the acknowledgment of MACV–SOG's role in shaping modern special operations.

Legislative Timeline

Introduced: November 10, 2025

Referred to Committees: The bill has been referred to the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on House Administration for further consideration.

This bill represents an important step in honoring the legacy of MACV–SOG and ensuring that their contributions to U.S. military history are recognized and remembered.

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