Memorabilia

Item Description

The Birth of the Marine Corps Challenge Coin

One of the most well known stories among the history buff circles is that of an Army Air Corps pilot in World War I. The daring young pilot was given a special bronze medallion by a wealthy lieutenant that he wore around his neck in a leather pouch on all of his missions. Well, as was all too often the case he was shot down over enemy held territory and was captured by the Germans. As he was strip searched by the Germans they took all forms of identification from him, leaving him only his medallion around his neck.

Eventually he was able to escape his captors and disguised in civilian clothing he made his way to a French outpost to be rescued. However, because of the many instances of enemy soldiers dressing in similar disguises attacking the outpost the French took him as the enemy. Not speaking French him-self and not having any forms of ID to prove who he was the French planned to execute him. The only thing he had on him to show which side he was on was the medallion hanging around his neck. Upon showing the French his medallion instead of killing him they gave him a bottle of wine. Probably the best tasting wine he ever had!

Since then the challenge coin has been used by those in the military as a special token for a job well done, a very special honor, or to prove one’s allegiance. During “coin checks” members of a unit all must show their coins and if anyone fails to produce theirs they have to buy a round of drinks for everyone.

These Commanding Officers have generously donated a Challenge Coin to the The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation- Patriots at Pebble, Marines Hit the Beach featuring the Toyota Commandant's Cup auction.

• Colonel William R. Dunn- Twenty Second Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU)
• Lieutenant Colonel Toby F. Moore- Marine Attack Squadron 311 (MAS 311)
• Colonel Francis P. Piccoli- Deployment Processing Command East
• Lieutenant Colonel Vincent J. Ciuccoli- Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico (MCAF Quantico)  
• Brigadier General Joseph Shrader- Marine Corps Systems Command
• Colonel Kevin H. Wild- Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1)
• Lieutenant Colonel Kelvin W. Gallman- Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261(VMM 261)
• Lieutenant Colonel William R. DeLorenzo- Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron Two (MWHS2)
• Colonel Kevin J. Stewart- Combat Logistics Regiment 25
• Colonel Chris McPhillips-Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG 13)
• Lieutenant Colonel Brian T. Koch- Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (VMM 162)
• Lieutenant Colonel Jaime Macias-Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28

Item Special Note

• Includes case
• Also includes stickers from 22MEU
• Two shirts from MAS 311, one red womens shirt XL and one mens shirt XL