Brunswick PD CHALLENGE COINS

Citizen Recognition Program

In February of 2003 the Brunswick Police Department began acknowledging citizens and employees who commit acts of extraordinary kindness, or unselfishly give of themselves to help others by presenting them with a special 'Challenge Coin'.  These coins were specially minted for the BPD and are carried by all on duty police personnel. 

THE HISTORY OF THE CHALLENGE COIN  

During World War I, American volunteers from all parts of the country filled the newly formed flying squadrons.  Some were wealthy scions attending colleges such as Yale and Harvard who quit in midterm to join the war.    In one squadron, a wealthy lieutenant ordered medallions struck in solid bronze carrying the squadron emblem for every member of his squadron.   He himself carried his medallion in a small leather sack around his neck.  

Shortly after acquiring the medallions this pilot’s aircraft was severely damaged by ground fire.    He was forced to land behind enemy lines and was immediately captured by a German Patrol.   In order to discourage his escape, the Germans took all of his personal identification except the small leather pouch around his neck.

In the meantime, he was taken to a small French town near the front.   Taking advantage of a bombardment that night he donned his civilian clothes and escaped; however, he was without personal identification.  

He succeeded in avoiding German patrols and reached the front lines.    With great difficulty, he crossed no-man’s land.   Eventually he stumbled into a French outpost.    Unfortunately, the French in this sector of the front had been plagued by saboteurs.    They sometimes masqueraded as civilians and wore civilian clothes.  Not recognizing the young pilot’s American accent, the French thought him to be a saboteur and made ready to execute him.   Just in time, he remembered his leather pouch containing the medallion.   He showed the medallion to his would-be executioners.   His French captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion and delayed long enough for him to confirm his identity.    

Back with his squadron, it became a tradition to ensure that all members carried their medallion or coin at all times.    This was accomplished through a challenge in the following manner, a challenger would ask to see the coin,  if the challenger could not produce his coin, he was required to purchase a drink of choice for the member who had challenged him.     If the challenged member produced his coin, then the challenging member was required to pay for the drink.   This tradition continued throughout the war and for many years after while surviving members of the squadron were still alive.

The Brunswick PD Minted Coin Policy

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