Challenge Coin Sales

[aooga15]

The new USMMA Challenge Coins are in and are available for presale. Orders will be shipped mid September.
Once again, we anticpate them selling out quickly.

The cost is
$20 per coin
$2 shipping
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$22 total

The USMMA Parents Association Indiana Kentucky Tennessee heads up the Challenge Coin sales. Challenge Coins make a wonderful gift for your DD/ DS, grandpa, dad, mom, little bother, big sister, etc. PM me if you would like to place an order, and I will pm you back ordering instructions. Thank you.

History of Military Challenge Coins

During WW I, 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 midterm to join the war. In one squadron, a wealthy lieutenant ordered medallions struck in solid bronze carrying the squadron emblem for every member of his squadron. He himself carried his medallion in a small leather sack about his neck.
Shortly after acquiring the medallions, this pilot's 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 donned civilian clothes and escaped. However he was without personal identification.
He succeeded in avoiding German patrols and reached the front lines. With great difficulty, he crossed no-man's land. Eventually, he stumbled onto a French outpost. Unfortunately, the French in this sector had been plagued with saboteurs who sometimes masqueraded as civilians wearing 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, he remembered his leather pouch containing the medallion. He showed it to his would-be executioners. His French captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion and delayed long enough for him to confirm his identity. Instead of shooting him, they gave him a bottle of wine!
Back with his squadron, it became a tradition to ensure that all members carried their medallion or coin at all times. This was accomplished through a challenge in the following manner. A challenger 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 throughout the war and for many years after while surviving members of the squadron were still alive.

The tradition of the Challenge Coin continues to be practiced throughout the military.