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History military coin! We want your storiesTell us of your history military coin collections, tell us about them from more unique perspectives...
FORT MCPHERSON, Ga. (Feb. 24, 2006) - There are probably dozens of stories about the origin of the coin. While attending the U. S. Army Sergeants Major Academy in 1997, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Vincent W. Patton III did a research project to try to find out the origin of the coin presentation. Patton’s research turned up a 1969 issue of Soldier Magazine that offered the following story for a collaboration of stories from several U.S. Army Soldiers. “As I said, it's one of many, but this is the one I tend to use in my explanation of the coin,” Patton said. The practice of a senior enlisted member presenting a coin or medallion to an individual actually goes back just about 100 years ago in the British Army. During the War of the Boars, the officers were the only ones authorized to receive medals. Whenever an enlisted person did a good job, typically the officer he was assigned to would receive the award. “The regimental sergeant major would sneak into the officer's tent and cut the medal from the ribbon. He would then call an all hands to formally ‘shake the hand’ of the exceptional soldier, and would ‘palm the medal’ in the soldier's hand without anyone knowing,” Patton said. He went on, “The officers, of course, would sort of know what was going on, and typically condoned the action, as many often felt ill-at ease in accepting the medal in the first place - although there were a few exceptions. Whenever that would happen, other officers would cover for the enlisted men by blaming it on the nearby civilians who often stole goods from the army camps.” As time passed, the coin recognition was eventually extended to the American forces in WWI. By then, the British Army began recognizing their own enlisted soldiers. The coin turned into a recognition piece which was specially struck with the unit's crest on it. Senior NCOs presented them as their form of recognition, since they were not authorized to present any medals or awards. In Vietnam, the coin took a different twist of recognition - it became known as the "challenge coin" in which those who had them would slam them on the bar counter to challenge anyone in the bar if they had one. “It was one of those Combat ‘machismo’ things,” Patton said. “If a person didn't have a coin, they would have to buy the bar a round of drinks.” As mentioned earlier, there are several variations of the "coin story." Today, the coin is pretty much widely used throughout all of the military forces in the world, both as a form of recognition, and even in some cases as a "calling card." When act of achievement cannot be rewarded by ribbon, coins are an excellent alternative to distribute to Soldiers who have gone above and beyond one’s normal duty, according to Command Sgt. Maj. William Shimer, 377th Theater Support Command’s command sergeant major. “It’s something unexpected, something unwritten,” he said. “It adds a personal touch when the Soldier goes that extra mile to accomplish the mission.” More history military coin info click below Do you know your history military coin stories wanted! Marine Corps News MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (March 4, 2005) -- Military Unit Coins. Throughout the Corps, one can find these medal artifacts displayed proudly by Marines at their desks and in their offices. Some are simple and colorless. Others are ornate, filled with intricate designs and etchings. All of them have a story behind them. The following story, which dates the history military coins back to the 1st World War, was passed on throughout the network of senior enlisted Marines via email. During World War I, American volunteers from all parts of the country filled the newly formed flying squadrons. Some were wealthy young men who left colleges such as Yale and Harvard in order to enlist in the military. In one squadron, a wealthy lieutenant ordered solid bronze medallions embossed with the squadron emblem for every member of his squadron. He carried his medallion in a small leather sack about his neck. Shortly after acquiring the medallions, the lietetenant's aircraft was severely damaged by ground fire during a mission. He was forced to land behind enemy lines where he was captured by a German patrol. In order to discourage his escape, the Germans took all of his personal identification except for the small leather pouch around his neck. He was eventually taken to a small French town near the front lines where he managed to escape during a night bombardment. During the attack, he donned civilian clothes and fled without personal identification. After escaping, the brave pilot succeeded in avoiding German patrols until he reached the front lines. With great difficulty, he crossed no-man's land and stumbled into a French outpost. Unfortunately, the French in this sector had been plagued by German saboteurs, who sometimes masqueraded as civilians and wore civilian clothes. Not recognizing the young pilot's American accent, the French thought him to be a saboteur and made ready to execute him. Just in time, the American remembered his leather pouch containing the bronze medallion. He showed the medallion to his would-be executioners. When the French captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion, they gave the pilot enough time to confirm his identity. Instead of shooting him, they gave him a bottle of wine. Eventually the pilot made it back to his squadron, where it became a tradition to ensure all members carried their medallion or coin at all times. This was accomplished through a challenge. A service member would ask to see the coin. If the challenger could not produce his coin, he was required to purchase a drink of choice for the member who had challenged him. If the challenged member produced his coin, then the challenging member was required to pay for the drink. This tradition continued through the war and for many years after while surviving members of the squadron were still alive. Today, military service members often trade these coins while deployed. In some cases a coin can be earned meritoriously for a job well done. Regardless of how they are required, the history of the challenge coin remains a part of military tradition, and Marines will continue to display them proudly for years to come. Marine Corps News In-Depth Coverage Story Identification #: 20053485017 Story by Cpl. Wil Acosta More History, Military Coin We invite your personal and team stories about history military coin: Tell us about your units history military coin and why they were created, make your coin story as detailed as you can. We will be happy to post it here for you. If you find an article in a military magazine or newspaper, regardless of where send it to us be sure to include the story source and author. Your coin history and military stories are shared and cherished at the Jewelry Designers Resource Center we are all veterans here. Military coins have been woven into the fabric of every unit in the modern forces we love to hear about your experiences bothe new and old. New coin history, military coin is still being created in the military everyday. If history is not for you try
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