What is you most memorable experience receiving a coin and what is your most prized coin?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 12:16:50 -0500

My most memorable experience receiving a coin was when I was deployed ISO OIF 10-11/OND.  I was the Company Unit Movement NCO and I had never been formally trained on the duty.  I was given a quick run down of what I need to do and where I need to go to move all of my Company's equipment from COB Adder to Camp Taji.  My Unit Movement Officer was very helpful when showing my all the stuff I needed to do, right before he went on mid-tour leave.  I felt like it was all going in one ear and out the other, but somehow I retained it all.  He went on leave and it was time to put me to the test.  I was able to coordinate the loading of all the equipment and transportation within one day.  I contacted my 1SG at Camp Taji and told him the stuff was on its way.  It managed to make it up there within 24 hours.  Then I had to escort the sensitive items container.  My Brigade coordinated for me to have a C-130 to myself to transport one Quadcon and one Gator.  I was able to sit in the jump seat of the C-130, which was awesome, but we got diverted to Balad instead of Camp Taji.  I ended up sleeping in a hanger next to my Quadcon and Gator.  After finally making it to Taji after a two day layover, I was put in for an impact AAM.  When my UMO came back off of leave, I told him about my experience.  Our Battalion Commander came down to our work area and asked our Company Commander who is deserving of the new Battalion coin.  Our Commander explained everything that I had done, and said our UMO, "CW2 Terry Vick".  It was pretty shocking for everyone because they all knew what I had done and the our UMO was on leave.  I just looked at him and smiled.  After the formation, I disappeared to take care of some work and Mr. Vick tracked me down to give me the coin.  I gave him a hard time, but was very grateful.  <div><br></div><div>My most prized coin would have to be my Company coin that my Company Commander never had the chance to present me.  He died on 26 February 2005 in a helicopter crash.  Sometime before the crash, he had been talking to my 1SG about how he wanted to present me with the coin.  During his memorial service, my 1SG came to me and presented me the coin.  It's nothing extravagant like a General or CSM coin, but it has the most sentimental value to me. </div>

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2014 12:52 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 12:52:16 -0500

I wish I could honestly recall an "experience" I had while receiving a coin other than the strong desire not to be in formation. Having said that, I do realize that many enjoy earning and receiving coins that are of personal worth to them. I've just never felt that way.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2014 1:01 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 13:01:26 -0500

My most memorable coin acceptance was from Former SECDEF Leon Panetta in 2012 at Ft. Bliss, TX.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2014 7:12 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 19:12:43 -0500

"There I was" downrange doing my bit to keep down the number of wooden IED blast material/disguises by breaking up and burning the pallets almost nightly to additionally raise moral. Cleaned up around the ER inside and out on a daily basis and helped out where needed when GEN Austin came to COS Warrior just prior to our departure.

In the 'line up' of submitted personnel to receive his coin for their actions on COS Warrior we got to say a few words about why we got submitted. In the end, after receiving the coin, I've got to say...that's the largest metal map of Iraq I've seen and the biggest coin I've come across as well.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jan 14 at 2015 12:37 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 00:37:03 -0500

I have two:
1. Was a coin I received from the Commander of a Hungarian Infantry BN. The coin he gave me was in a small plastic case - it is one ounce of solid silver with their unit crest. That coin will buy more than a cup of coffee.

2. I was the SNCO of the USNSE in Pristina in 2001. I was told I needed to find billets for a bunch of Marines coming in. I got everything arranged. When they arrived I contacted the OIC, asked for his NCOIC and I laid out my plan to him. The NCOIC then got his people lined up and sent off. Everyone got fed, in processed and bunked down. A couple days later the OIC, a Captain came to me and gave me a MEF coin. He said they'd never been taken care of so fast and efficiently.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jun 3 at 2015 2:30 PM

SFC Stephen King — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 14:30:41 -0400

One coin I cherish is the Sergeants Major of the Army coin from retired SMA Robert E. Hall. I received it in recruiting. I also have a Golden Knights Coin I received at my re-enlistment.

Response by SFC Rick Walton made Sep 29 at 2017 10:13 PM

SFC Rick Walton — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 22:13:22 -0400

Team Spriit, 93. The I Corps commander (Gen. DeFransico at the time) presented me with my first coin. It was a First Corp commanders coin and it was presented to me for being good at my job. Best in the Country you could say. The coin was stolen less than a year later while I was in AIT to reclass.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jun 29 at 2019 1:54 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 13:54:02 -0400

3rd ad commander when he appointed me to warrant.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2019 2:59 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 14:59:18 -0400

Coin from Deputy Commanding General of the Corps of Engineers for my performance of a military funeral for an Active Duty EOD Tech that was KIA.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 29 at 2019 3:18 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 15:18:20 -0400

I must commend you. Conducting unit movement requires a lot of timelines, coordination, and timelines. I had the unfortunate experience of being a UMO for a Brigade Combat Team going to NTC and a company going from Ft Hood to Kuwait.

As a side note, I gave all my coins to a veteran neighbor of mine.