 |
 |
| |
| We Gladly Ship To
APO/FPO Addresses! |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
|
| |
|
| |
From Start to Finish...
It's Easy As...
1, 2, 3!
|
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
|
 |
| |
During World War 1,
American volunteers from all parts of the country filled the newly formed
flying squadrons. Some were wealthy scions attending colleges such as Yale and
Harvard who quit in mid-term to join the war. In one squadron, a wealthy
lieutenant ordered medallions struck in solid bronze and presented them to his
unit. One young pilot placed the medallion in a small leather pouch that he
wore about his neck.
Shortly after acquiring the medallions, the
pilots’ aircraft was severely damaged by ground fire. He was forced to
land behind enemy lines and was immediately 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. In the
meantime, he was taken to a small French town near the front. Taking advantage
of a bombardment that night, he escaped. However, he was without personal
identification.
He succeeded in avoiding German patrols by donning
civilian attire and reached the front lines. With great difficulty, he crossed
no-man's land. Eventually, he stumbled onto a French outpost. Unfortunately,
saboteurs had plagued the French in the sector. They 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.
He had no identification to prove his allegiance, but he did have his leather
pouch containing the medallion. He showed the medallion to his would-be
executioners and one of his French captors recognized the squadron insignia on
the medallion. They delayed his execution long enough for him to confirm his
identity. Instead of shooting him they gave him a bottle of wine.
Back
at his squadron, it became tradition to ensure that all members carried their
medallion or coin at all times. This was accomplished through challenge in the
following manner - a challenger would ask to see the medallion. If the
challenged could not produce a medallion, they were required to buy a drink of
choice for the member who challenged them. If the challenged member produced a
medallion, then the challenging member was required to pay for the drink. This
tradition continued on throughout the war and for many years after the war
while surviving members of the squadron were still alive.
See
Challenge Coin Rules >>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We Make Superior-Quality Challenge
Coins For...
Navy, Marines, Army, Air
Force, Coast Guard, ROTC, Businesses, Organizations,
Schools, Clubs,
Fraternities, Sport Teams, Government Agencies...
More Info >>
Please Tell Everyone About...
www.CoinForce.com!
coinforce.com, challenge coins,
military coin, unit coins, memorial coins, military challenge coins, unit
challenge coins, medallions, collectible coin, collectable coin, tribute coin,
custom made coins, custom coins, military challenge coins, challenge coins,
military challange coins, challange coins, military coins, military, challenge,
challenge, coins, mint, coin mint, challenge coin displays, challenge coin
history, challenge coin rules
