The decision earlier this month by senior civil servants was made despite a direct recommendation from Gavin Williamson to create the award when he was defence secretary in 2019 and referred the matter to the committee.
At the time, Mr Williamson said: “We must never forget their courage and bravery in contributing to keeping their country safe during the Cold War.”
It comes against a history of the HD committee snubbing Britain’s brave veterans by resisting creating medals for those who were not formally recognised.
This included the Arctic Convoy veterans in the Second World War which was only resolved when former Prime Minister David Cameron ordered the committee to create a medal in 2012.