S. 1970 — MACV–SOG Congressional Gold Medal Act

This section states congressional findings regarding the Military Assistance Command Vietnam–Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG), including its establishment in January 1964; missions such as reconnaissance, sabotage, rescues, psychological operations, and maritime activities in North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1964 to 1972; casualties of approximately 1,579 U.S. personnel (more than half of all Green Beret fatalities in the Vietnam War, with over 50 still missing in action); disproportionate battlefield impact (diverting up to 50,000 North Vietnamese troops); prior secrecy; joint composition (Army Special Forces, Navy SEALs, Force Reconnaissance Marines, Air Force, CIA, and indigenous forces); and recognition (12 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients and a 2001 Presidential Unit Citation).

This section authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present a single Congressional Gold Medal of appropriate design, to be struck by the Secretary of the Treasury, 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. Following presentation, the medal is given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a sense of Congress that it also be displayed at locations and events associated with MACV-SOG.

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

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

This section authorizes the charge against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund of amounts necessary to pay the costs of medals struck under this Act and requires the deposit into that fund of proceeds from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 4.