H.R. 5993 — MACV–SOG Congressional Gold Medal Act

This section states congressional findings on the history, operations, achievements, casualties, and legacy of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam-Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG), a joint special operations task force established in 1964 that conducted covert missions in North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia through 1972, resulting in approximately 1,579 U.S. personnel missing or killed (more than half of all Green Beret fatalities in the Vietnam War, with over 50 still missing in action) and diverting up to 50,000 North Vietnamese troops to defensive operations.

This section authorizes the presentation of a single Congressional Gold Medal, on behalf of Congress, to the service members of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam–Studies and Observations Group (MACV–SOG) in recognition of their bravery and service in South Vietnam, North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia during the Vietnam War. The Secretary of the Treasury must strike the medal of suitable design, after which it is given to the Smithsonian Institution for display, including at appropriate MACV–SOG-related locations and events.

This section authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck under section 3, at a price sufficient to cover the costs thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses.

This section (1) designates medals struck pursuant to this Act as national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code, and (2) classifies such medals as numismatic items for purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of title 31, United States Code.

This section authorizes charges against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund for the costs of medals struck under this Act and directs deposit of proceeds from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 4 into the fund.