| The tradition of the military coin is one of | | | | their time spent together in the military. They |
| considerable question. Most people will give the | | | | were rumored to have been quite expensive. |
| credit to the United States Army Air Service | | | | A pilot from the squadron receiving the coins put |
| which is another name for what is now the United | | | | his in a small pouch that he wore around his neck |
| States Air Force. | | | | for safekeeping. When his plane was so damaged |
| Although most non-military do not know the story | | | | during an air attack that he had to set it down |
| of the military coin, the men and women who | | | | behind enemy lines, he was captured. Managing to |
| serve in the military, whether it in the field, on | | | | escape he made it to France, where he was in |
| board a ship or flying through the skies in a | | | | danger of being shot as a spy. He did not have |
| military aircraft know the story very well. | | | | his I.D. and no way to prove who he was. By |
| These coins represent the heart and soul of the | | | | showing the coin, he was easily identified as an |
| military. They are a token of not only the | | | | American soldier. |
| achievements they have accomplished but the | | | | Although this is anybody's guess as to the truth |
| ones of soldiers who served their country many | | | | of the story, it may well have happened just that |
| years ago. The pride of being a part of the effort | | | | way. One thing is for certain. The military |
| to keep their country free is reflected by this coin | | | | challenge coin is a symbol of something far larger |
| they carry. | | | | than ourselves. This is the recognized object that |
| The coins are normally embellished with a brightly | | | | sets apart the brave men and women who |
| colored design which is a tribute to the particular | | | | sacrifice and give their all to the country in which |
| unit in which the soldier has served. When they | | | | they were born in order to keep it free. |
| are received from a superior officer the military | | | | The special meaning the military coin will carry for |
| coins are especially treasured. The meaning behind | | | | all time is one of camaraderie for the soldiers as |
| these coins is one that eludes explanation. You | | | | they make their way through an unfamiliar land to |
| either know why they are carried or you do not. | | | | bring America the freedom she is based on and |
| One story goes that a rich Ivy Leaguer who | | | | will continue to be based on. Although they may |
| joined as an air squadron pilot during World War I | | | | be made from nickel, brass, or bronze the |
| had bronze coins made with the insignia of the | | | | representation of the coin is one that is never |
| squadron in which he was a lieutenant. He gave | | | | denied. It is the symbol of brotherhood in the true |
| them to the other pilots as a way to remember | | | | sense of the word. |