FOOFARAW A Military Appreciation Day

History of the Traditional Military Coin...

Coin gift sponsored by America's Credit Union

One of the highlights of the day touted by attendees is receiving the Foofaraw Coin. The coin, commonly known as a challenge coin by military personnel has been a tradition in the military since WWI. A challenge coin is a small coin or medallion bearing an organization’s insignia or emblem and is carried by the organization’s members. They are given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale.

Legend has it that challenge coins were started by a wealthy lieutenant who ordered small, solid-bronze medallions, which he then presented to the other pilots in his squadron as mementos of their service together. The coin was gold-plated, bore the squadron’s insignia, and was quite valuable. One of the pilots in the squadron, who had never owned anything like the coin, placed it in a leather pouch he wore around his neck for safekeeping. A short while later, this pilot’s aircraft was heavily damaged by ground fire forcing him to land behind enemy lines and allowing him to be captured by the Germans who stripped of all his belongings except the pouch around his neck. He escaped, made it to France where he convinced them of his allegiance by showing the coin.

Once the pilot safely returned to his squadron, it became a tradition for all members to carry their coin at all times. To ensure compliance, the pilots would challenge each other to produce the coin. If the challenged couldn’t produce the coin, he was required to buy a drink of choice for the challenger; if the challenged could produce the coin, the challenger would purchase the drink.

This tradition spread to other flying squadrons and, eventually, to other military units in all branches of service and even to non military organizations. Today, challenge coins are given to members upon joining an organization, as an award to improve morale, and sold to commemorate special occasions or as fundraisers.