The Military Challenge Coin A Veteran's Story

The Origin of Military Challenge Coins

The most commonly held view is that the tradition of the military coin began in the United States Army Air Service (a forerunner of the current United States Air Force).

Air warfare was a new phenomenon during World War I, when the army created flying squadrons and manned them with volunteer pilots from every walk of civilian life. Most pilots were wealthy Ivy League students who were drawn by the adventure and romance of the new form of warfare.

One Ivy Leaguer, a wealthy lieutenant, ordered small, solid-bronze coins struck, which he then presented to th...