Challenge coins were not nearly as popular or well known during our era of service. They have become particularly popular in this era. It is not unusual for senior staff officers and NCO’s to have their own coin designed. After some discussion by the Delta 1/7 (1965-66) association leadership it was thought that maybe it was time that Delta 1/7 (1965-66) have its own challenge coin to commemorate that era of service.

There were a number of Marines and Corpsman that serve Delta 1/7 during this period of time and served well. Transfer and replacement practices of that era moved a number of Marines and Corpsman through the ranks of Delta 1/7. Unlike the generation our fathers and uncles that joined, trained, deployed and fought together during WWII creating a “Band of Brothers” we had many members of Delta 1/7 that came and went over short periods of time often limiting our ability to get to know each other and create that bond. Now in our latter years as we come together we have that opportunity. It is partially the reason for the development of the challenge coin. To allow us to renew, celebrate and sustain those bonds of friendship.

The purpose of a challenge coin is to commemorate shared unit service and sacrifice. Symbolism of those shared experiences and values should be reflected in the coin. The Delta 1/7 coin was developed and designed with these thoughts in mind.

The commemorative side of the coin displays the Marine Corps Globe and Anchor and it’s inherent symbolism of “always faithful.” The emblem is highlighted in crimson to commemorate the sacrificial history of the many Marines and Corpsman who have gone before us. In the outer ring, whose background is in an antiqued gold, beginning at 12 0’clock and in the sequence they were lost, are the names of the nine Marines lost to Delta 1/7 during 1965-66. The antiqued gold symbolizes the purity of their willingness to serve and of their sacrifice.

During the design of the Delta 1/7 Coin it was insisted that the names include the complete name and rank of each Marine and as a result are quite small. They are however, legible to the eye. They can only be recognized by those who would in fact know their names. Therefore, there is an inherent obligation by the carrier of the coin to know their names that they may always be remembered by the veterans of Delta 1/7 and any friend or family member to whom we may gift a coin.

If you carry the Delta 1/7 Coin, you do so with an obligation to those ideals it embraces. The memory of the sacrifices that were made by each and every Marine and Corpsman of Delta 1/7 and all challenge coin rules apply.

May you carry the coin in good spirit, good health and always with a sense of honor and nobility.

Semper Fi.