Operation Vets With Nets Challenge Coin

The rich history of the military challenge coin goes back as far as WWI.  A popular story suggests that one of the lieutenant's pilots was captured by German forces and later escaped to a French outpost, where he was mistaken for a German spy. He was saved by presenting his squadron's coin, which led to the tradition of carrying a coin with the unit's insignia.  Today, challenge coins continue to be a symbol of military pride, unit identity, and camaraderie. They are often presented as awards for outstanding service or to mark special occasions, and are a common sight in military bars and social gatherings.