Order Code RS21405
Updated May 1, 2006
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
August 19, 2008
U.S. Periods of War
Barbara Salazar Torreon
Information Research Specialist
Knowledge Services Group
Summary
Many wars or conflicts in United StatesU.S. history have a federally designated
“periods of war” date for,”
dates marking their beginning and ending. These dates are important for
qualification qualification
for certain veterans’ pension or disability benefits. The American Legion
also follows these dates closely in determining who is eligible for membership; the
Veterans of Foreign Wars has its own much more elaborate list of dates. Confusion can
Confusion can occur because
beginning and ending dates for “periods of war” in many nonofficial
sources are often
different from those given in treaties and other official sources of
information, and
armistice dates can be confused with termination dates. This report
lists the beginning
and ending dates for “periods of war” found in Title 38 of the Code
of Federal
Regulations, dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It also lists
and and
differentiates other beginning dates given in declarations of war, as well as
termination termination
of hostilities’ dates and armistice and ending dates given in proclamations,
laws, or
treaties. This report will be updated when events warrant. For additional information,
see CRS Report RL31133, Declarations of War and Authorizations for the Use of
Military Force: Historical Background and Legal Implications.
War Dates
Congress, usually through a declaration of war, has often been the first governmental
authority to designate the beginning date of a war or armed conflict. The President, or
executive branch
officials responsible to him, through proclamation, or Congress, through
legislation, is
have been responsible for designating the war’s termination date.1 In some
cases, later legislation
is enacted to extend these beginning and ending dates for the
purpose of broadening
eligibility for veterans’ benefits.2 This explainsreport notes the variations
in the dates cited in the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) “periods of war” fromand those
dates given in the declarations of war
beginning and the proclamations, laws, or treaties
terminating such conflicts. Adding to
the confusion, during World War II, wars were declared and terminated with six
1
For background on the War Powers Act, see the following CRS Issue Brief IB81050, War
Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance, Richard F. Grimmett.
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress
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individual combatant countries. Moreover, armistice dates are also often confused with
termination dates.2
Title 38, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Code of Federal Regulations, dealing with the
Department of Veterans Affairs, lists beginning and termination dates for each war period
from the Indian Wars to the present.3 The material below reproduces this list. After each
lettered section of CFR language are listed declaration, armistice, cease-fire, or
termination dates from and use of military force abroad, see the following CRS
Report RL32267, The War Powers Resolution: After Thirty-Four Years, CRS Report RL33532,
War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance, and CRS Report RL32170, Instances of Use
of United States Armed Forces Abroad, 1798-2007, all by Richard F. Grimmett.
2
The American Legion also follows these dates closely in determining who is eligible for
membership; the Veterans of Foreign Wars has its own much more elaborate list of dates.
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declared and terminated with six individual combatant countries. Moreover, armistice
dates are also often confused with termination dates.3
Title 38, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), dealing with
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), lists official beginning and termination dates
for most war periods from the Indian Wars to the present to be used in determining the
availability of veterans’ benefits.4 The material below summarizes these dates. Where
applicable, a summary of the Department of Veterans Affairs official beginning and
termination dates is provided followed by a citation to the lettered CFR section. For some
entries, this initial summary is followed by an explanatory note or declaration, armistice,
cease-fire, or termination dates cited by other official sources.
Indian Wars
January 1, 1817, through December 31, 1898, inclusive. Service must have been
rendered with U.S. military forces against Indian tribes or nations. Code of Federal
Regulations, 3.2 (a).
Spanish-American War
April 21, 1898, through July 4, 1902, inclusive. If the veteran served with the United
States U.S.
military forces engaged in hostilities in the Moro Province, the ending date is July
15,
1903. The Philippine Insurrection and the Boxer Rebellion are included for the purposes
of benefit determination under this CFR section. Code of . Code of
Federal Regulations, 3.2 (b).
Declared by an act of Congress April 25, 1898 (30 Stat. 364, ch. 189). ArmisticeAn armistice
signed August 12, 1898. Terminated by Treaty signed at Paris, December 10, 1898 (30
Stat. 1754), ratified and proclaimed April 11, 1899.
Mexican Border Period
May 9, 1916, through April 5, 1917. In the case of a veteran who during such period
served in Mexico, on the borders thereof, or in the waters adjacent waters thereto. Code of
Federal Regulations, 3.2 (h).
23
Armistice — “In International law, a suspension or temporary cessation of hostilities by
agreement between belligerent powers.” Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and
Associated Terms. Joint Publication 1-02, Department of Defense, April 12, 2001 (Washington:
GPO, 2001), p. 32.
See also the more detailed definition in the Parry and Grant Encyclopaedic Dictionary of
International Law (New York: Oceana Publications, Inc., 1986), p. 30.
34
Title 38 of the CFR, titled “Pensions, Bonuses and Veterans’ Relief,” is not to be confused with
Title 38 of the United States Code, titled “Veterans Benefits.” Laws enacted in each Congress
are first collected as session laws, published in the Statutes at Large for each session. These
laws are then codified by subject and published in the United States Code. The general guidance
given by these laws results in the issuance of more detailed regulations to implement these laws.
Such regulations are first published in the Federal Register and are then codified by subject in
the CFR.
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World War I
April 6, 1917, through November 11, 1918, inclusive. If the veteran served with the
United StatesU.S. military forces in Russia, the ending date is April 1, 1920. Service after
November November
11, 1918, and before July 2, 1921, is considered World War I service if the
veteran served
in the active military, naval, or air service after April 5, 1917, and before
November 12,
1918. Code of Federal Regulations, 3.2 (c).
World War I against Germany. Declared by Joint Resolution of Congress of
April 6, 1917 (40 Stat. 429, ch. 1). Armistice signed near Compiègne, France, November
11, 1918. Terminated July 2, 1921, by Joint Resolution (42 Stat. 105, ch. 40, 1).
World War I against Austria-Hungary. Declared by Joint Resolution of
Congress, December 7, 1917 (40 Stat. 429, ch. 1). ArmisticeAn armistice signed near Compiègne,
France, November 11, 1918. Terminated July 2, 1921, by Joint Resolution of Congress
(42 Stat. 106, ch. 40, 3).
World War II
December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946, inclusive. If the veteran was in
service on December 31, 1946, continuous service before July 26, 1947, is considered
World War II service. Code of Federal Regulations, 3.2 (d).
Note: During World War II, war was officially declared with six countries. The war
with each was not over until the effective date of the Treaty of Peace. Note also the
confusion cited below over which day is the official Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day)45
and Victory Over Japan Day (V-J Day).5
46
5
May 7, 1945, is listed as V-E day in commentary about signing the first German surrender document
document in Historic Documents of World War II by Walter Consuelo Langsam (Westport, CT: Greenwood
Greenwood Press, 1958), p. 144. However, May 8, 1945, is cited as V-E day in The
Encyclopedia of American
Facts and Dates, p. 528; as the “Official V-E Day” in Louis L.
Snyder, Louis L. Snyder’s
Historical Guide to World War Two (Westport, CT: Greenwood,
1982), p. 736; and the World
Almanac of World War II, ed. Brigadier Peter Young (New York:
Pharos Books , 1981), p. 347,
states in its chronology for May 8, “The British and Americans
celebrate VE Day (Victory in
Europe Day). Truman, Churchill and King George VI all make
special broadcasts.”
Although President Truman did not officially proclaim May 7 as V-E (Victory in Europe)
Day;, he did proclaim Sunday, May 13, 1945, a day of prayer. To make for more confusion, his May
May 8, 1945, Proclamation 2651, proclaiming May 13 as a day of prayer, is titled, “Victory in
Europe;
Day of Prayer” (3 CFR, 1943-1948 Comp.), p. 55. In addition, his May 8 news
conference in
which he proclaims May 13 a day of prayer is titled, “The President’s News
Conference on V-E
Day” — Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States. Harry S.
Truman, 1945
(Washington: GPO, 1961), p. 43.
5
6
In his news conference of Aug.August 14, 1945, announcing news of the Japanese government’s
complete acceptance of terms of surrender, President Truman states, “Proclamation of V-J Day
must wait upon the formal signing of the surrender terms by Japan.” — Public Papers, p. 216.
The proclamation of Sept.September 2 as V-J Day was given in his Sept.September 1, 1945, “Speech to the American
American People After the Signing of the Terms of Unconditional Surrender by Japan.” — Public Papers,
p. 254. However, no formal, numbered proclamation was apparently issued. Both Aug. 14, the
(continued...)
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World War II with Germany. Declared by Joint Resolution of Congress,
December 11, 1941 (55 (Stat. 796, ch. 564). German representative Colonel General
Alfred Jodl signed the unconditional act of surrender to Allied Representatives in a
Riems, representatives in a Riems,
France schoolhouse on May 7, 1945. A second German surrender ceremony was
held on
May 8 in Berlin at the insistence of the U.S.S.R. Cessation of hostilities declared
as of
noon, December 31, 1946, by presidential proclamation of December 31, 1946
(Proc. no.
2714, 61 Stat. 1048). State of war with the “government of Germany”
terminated October
19, 1951, by Joint Resolution of Congress of that date (65 Stat. 451,
ch. 519), by presidential proclamation
Presidential Proclamation 2950, October 24, 1951. No peace treaty with
Germany signed.
World War II with Japan. Declared by Joint Resolution of Congress, December
8, 1941 (55 Stat. 795, ch. 561). Japanese representatives publicly sign unconditional
surrender document on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri anchored in Tokyo Bay on
September 2, 1945. President Truman proclaimed this date Victory over Japan Day or VJ Day. Cessation of hostilities declared as of 12 noon, December 31, 1946, by presidential
proclamation of December 31, 1946 (Proc. no. 2714, 61 Stat. 1048). Terminated by
Multilateral Treaty of Peace with Japan, signed at San Francisco, September 8, 1951 (3
UST 3329), and ratified March 20, 1952, effective April 28, 1952.
World War II with Italy. Declared by Joint Resolution of Congress of, December
11, 1941 (55 Stat. 797, ch. 565). Cessation of hostilities declared as of noon December
31, 1946, by presidential proclamation of December 31, 1946 (Proc. no. 2714, 61 Stat.
1048). Terminated by Treaty of Peace dated at Paris, February 10, 1947 (61 Stat. 1247),
effective September 15, 1947.
World War II with Bulgaria. Declared by Joint Resolution of Congress, June 5,
1942 (56 Stat. 307, ch. 323). Cessation of hostilities declared as of noon December 31,
1946, by presidential proclamation of December 31, 1946 (Proc. no. 2714, 61 Stat. 1048).
Terminated by Treaty of Peace dated at Paris, February 10, 1947 (61 Stat. 1915), effective
September 15, 1947.
World War II with Hungary. Declared by Joint Resolution of Congress, June 5,
1942 (56 Stat. 307, ch. 324). Cessation of hostilities declared as of noon December 31,
1946, by presidential proclamation (Proc. no. 2714, 61 Stat. 1048). Terminated by Treaty
of Peace dated at Paris, February 10, 1947 (61 Stat. 1757), effective September 15, 1947.
World War II with Romania. Declared by Joint Resolution of Congress of June
5, , June 5,
1942 (56 Stat. 307, ch. 325). Cessation of hostilities declared as of noon December 31,
1946, by presidential proclamation of December 31, 1946 (Proc. no. 2714, 61 Stat. 1048).
5
(...continued)
6
(...continued)
Public Papers, p. 254. However, no formal, numbered proclamation was apparently issued. Both
August 14, the day of President Truman’s announcement of the Japanese surrender, and Sept.
September 2, the official day
proclaimed by President Truman in his speech, are cited as V-J Day
in Chase’s Calendar of
Events 2002 (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002), pp. 421 and 555. August
15 is cited as V-J Day
by The Encyclopedia of American Facts and Dates, 9th ed., by Gordon
Carruth (New York:
Harper Collins, 1993), p. 530. August 15, on which the Japanese Emperor
made his historic
broadcast to the Japanese people telling of Japan’s surrender, is cited as V-J
Day in The World
Almanac of World War II, p. 353.
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Terminated by Treaty of Peace dated at Paris, February 10, 1947 (61 Stat. 1757),
effective effective
September 15, 1947.
Korean Conflict
June 27, 1950, through January 31, 1955, inclusive. Code of Federal Regulations,
3.2 (e).
On June 25, 1950, North Korean Communist forces attacked South Korean
positions positions
south of the 38th parallel, leading to an immediate United Nations Security
Council (U.N.) Security Council
resolution calling for a cease-fire and withdrawal of the North Korean forces. On
June June
26, President Truman ordered U.S. air and sea forces in the Far East to aid South
Korea.
On June 27, the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution asking U.N. members
for for
assistance in repelling the North Korean armed attack and in restoring peace and
security security
in the area. On June 30, the President stated that he had authorized the use of
certain U.S.
air and ground units wherever necessary. No declaration of war requested
of Congress. Armisticewas requested of
Congress. An armistice signed at Panmunjom, Korea, on July 27, 1953, between United
Nations U.N.
and Communist representatives (4 UST 234; TIAS 2782). No peace treaty was
ever signed.
Vietnam Era
The period beginning on February 28, 1961, and ending on May 7, 1975, inclusive,
in the
case of a veteran who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. The
period period
beginning on August 5, 1964, and ending on May 7, 1975, inclusive, in all other
cases.
Code of Federal Regulations, 3.2 (f).
Tonkin Gulf Resolution. No declaration of war was requested of Congress.
Tonkin Gulf Resolution. AInstead, there was a Joint Resolution of Congress to promote the
maintenance of
international peace and security in Southeast Asia stated in part that the
Congress Congress
“approves and supports the determination of the President, as Commander in
Chief, to
take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the
United United
States and to prevent any further aggression.” H.J.Res. 1145, P.L.88-408, August
10,
1964 (78 Stat. 384). Agreement Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Viet-Nam
signed Vietnam signed
in Paris, January 27, 1973 (TIAS 7674). Joint communiqué implementing the
agreement agreement
and protocols of January 27, 1973, signed at Paris and entered into force, June 13, 1973.
Conflicts in Lebanon 1982-1983 and Grenada 1983
U.S. Marines deployed on August 21, 1982, and September 29, 1982, were part of
a temporary multinational force in Lebanon. S. 639, P.L. 98-43 (Lebanon Emergency
Assistance Act of 1983). On October 25, 1983, U.S. troops were deployed to Grenada “to
restore law and order” and to protect American lives at the request of the members of the
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. See CRS Report RL32170, Instances of Use
of United States Armed Forces Abroad, 1798-2007, p. 19 for both Lebanon and Grenada.
Persian Gulf War
August 2, 1990, through April 6, 1991, when Iraq officially accepted cease-fire
terms, June 13, 1973. Entered
into force June 13, 1973.
Persian Gulf War
August 2, 1990, through date to be prescribed by presidential proclamation or law.
Code of Federal Regulations, 3.2 (i). Congress passed H.J.Res. 77, Authorizing the Use
of Military Force Against Iraq,
the same day it was introduced (January 12, 1991), and it
was signed by the President on
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January 14, 1991 (P.L. 102-1).
Operation Desert Storm and the air war phase began at
3 a.m. January 17, 1991
(January 16, 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time).67 Allied ground
assault began at 4 a.m.
February 24 (February 23, 8 p.m. Eastern Standard TimeEST). Cease-fire declared at 8:01
6
U.S. Department of Defense, The Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm Time Line, available
at [http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Aug2000/n08082000_20008088.html]. Used for this and
all subsequent dates and times for Persian Gulf War.
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8:01 a.m. February 28, 1991 (12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time).7EST).8 Cease-fire terms negotiated
at Safwan,
Iraq, March 1, 1991.89 Iraq officially accepted cease-fire terms, April 6, 1991.9
10 Cease-fire
took effect April 11, 1991.
Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Currently, the Code of Federal Regulations, 3.2 (i) does not
list an official end date.
Current Conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq
Shortly after the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001,
President George W. Bush called on Afghanistan’s leaders to hand over Osama bin Laden
and other al Qaeda leaders and close their terrorist training camps. He also demanded the
return of all detained foreign nationals and the opening of terrorist training sites to
inspection.10 These demands were rejected. Operation Enduring Freedom began on
October 7, 2001, with U.S. troops deployed to Afghanistan. For details, see CRS Report
RL32758, U.S. Military Operations in the Global War on Terrorism: Afghanistan, Africa,
the Philippines, and Colombia, and for information on military issues, see CRS Report
RL31334, Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom: Questions
and Answers About U.S. Military Personnel, Compensation, and Force Structure.11 These demands were rejected.
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Operations began with U.S. military
forces deployed on October 7, 2001, and are ongoing in Afghanistan and in other nations.
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). On March 17, 2003, in an address to the nation,
President Bush gave Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his sons a 48-hour ultimatum
to leave Iraq.1112 On March 19, 2003, in an address to the nation, President Bush
announcedPresident Bush announced to the nation that the early
stages of military operations against Iraq had begun.1213 In a May
1, 2003, address to the
nation, President Bush declared that “... major military combat
actions in Iraq have
ended.”1314 U.S. and coalition forces remain in Iraq.
Future Dates
The period beginning on the date of any future declaration of war by the Congress
and ending on a date prescribed by presidential proclamation or concurrent resolution of
the Congress. Code of Federal Regulations, 3.2 (g).
715
There are no termination dates for these current conflicts.
7
U.S. Department of Defense, The Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm Timeline, available at
[http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Aug2000/n08082000_20008088.html]. Used for this and all
subsequent dates and times for Persian Gulf War.
8
Cease fire — “A command given to any unit or individual firing any weapon to stop engaging
the target.” Department of Defense Dictionary, p. 65.
89
This agreement is actually a transcript of the discussion held at Safwan Airfield, Iraq, between
Coalition participants, U.S. Gen. M. Norman Schwarzkopf and Lt. Gen. Khalid of the Joint Arab
Forces, and Iraqi participants, Lt. Gen. Sultan Kasim Ahmad, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of
Defense, and Lt. Gen. Sala Abud Mahmud, III Corps Commander.
9
10
Acceptance is in the form of a letter to the U.N. Security Council accepting the terms of U.N.
Resolution 687 (U.N. document S22485, Apr.April 11, 1991).
10
11
President George W. Bush, Address Before A Joint Session of Congress on the United States
Response to the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, September 24, 2001.
1112
Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Mar.March 24, 2003, vol. 39, no. 12, pp. 338-341.
1213
Ibid., pp. 342-343.
1314
Ibid., May 5, 2003, vol. 39, no. 18, pp. 516-518.
15
See the Multi-National Forces Iraq Website at [http://www.mnf-iraq.com] for details.