Tag Archives: coin

Aviano on Challenge Coins

Aviano Air Base, Italy, becomes the most recent base to publish a story on the military tradition of “challenge coins.”

The true history of the challenge coin dates back to World War I, when an American pilot was shot down and captured in Germany.

While escaping from the grasp of the Germans, the pilot made his way to France, where they believed he was a spy and sentenced him to be executed. To prove his identity and save his life, he revealed a bronze medallion with his flying squadron’s emblem, confirming that he was an American pilot. The French spared his life and celebrated by giving him a bottle of wine instead.

The story is Read more

The Collection of Commander’s and Challenge Coins

The awkwardly named Pentagram, the community paper for Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, has started a series on the tradition of collecting “coins” in the US military:

For active duty and retired servicemembers, it is the currency of past days of deployment or of military milestones. This custom-made currency is awarded through a discreet handshake following a job well done or in a moment of appreciation.

They are called commander’s coins by Read more

Marines and Challenge Coins

A US Marine article covers the tradition of military “challenge coins.”  The article acknowledges the origin of the tradition has been lost to time, though he repeats one possibility from the World War I fighter pilot story (the same story told here).

As with many traditions, even if they were “fighter pilot traditions,” they tend to cross functional and even Service lines.

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US Soldiers Get Coined by General

A recent Army article noted that the commander of forces in Afhganistan “coined” members of the US military for their exceptional performance:

Marine Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan…presented ISAF commander coins to six soldiers surrounded by their friends and fellow service members during a mid-day ceremony here.

After listing the accomplishments of the soldiers, the article included this summary of the tradition:  Read more

Civilians, Corporations Picking up Military Traditions

A military news release noted Brig Gen Mark Corson handing out “commander’s coins” for excellence in February.

The…soldiers received the coins for their dedication to mission success by Brig. Gen. Mark Corson.

[Cpl Steven] Teel explained what it meant to him to receive the coin. “To be able to serve in so many different positions and be successful in the position is an honor in itself,” he said.

The Washington Post notes both the tradition of such coins (or “RMOs” in fighter pilot parlance) and increasing indications they have become a “copycat fad” in the rest of society:

“Challenge coins,” as they are known, have Read more