|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
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. We proudly continue this tradition today with
the challenge coin.
Reprinted from a Kelly AFB Dining Out Presentation Our coins are
DIE-STRUCK from Bronze, not die cast!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer Service
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
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.
