My Coins - Two New Ones

These are my latest two coins. Yes, they are the exact same coin, which is why I just chose to photograph them side-by-side showing the obverse of one and the reverse of the other. As they are the exact same coin, I am now no longer sure which one was given to me by my Battalion Commander and which one was given to me by my Battalion Command Sergeant Major.

CSM Moore gave me one of these coins one day when he took me out to lunch. He had one in the front seat of his car. When I got in, I naturally moved objects out of the way, picking up the coin in the process. Of course, since I have a fascination with coins, I briefly examined the coin. CSM Moore then asked me if I had one and I replied that I did not. He then took the coin out of its wrapper and shook my hand, handing the coin telling me that the coin was for all of my hard work that I've done in the Battalion.

The other coin was given to me by LTC Tedesco in an informal presentation in his office. LTC Tedesco informed SFC Cordero--the S-6 NCOIC that he wanted to give a coin to SGT Cuevas and me. So, both SGT Cuevas and I went into LTC Tedesco's office. He unwrapped two of the coins, told both of us that the coins were being presented for our hard work in helping to get the Battalion Headquarters up and running upon return from Iraq. LTC Tedesco shook both of our hands, giving us the coins in the exchange.

This coin is officially the last coin for LTC Tedesco as Commander of the Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. It is also the last coin that will be issued as a "DSTB coin," as the DSTB will be re-flagged upon LTC Tedesco's departure and become a Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion (HHBN). The front of the coin looks much like a national flag of sorts, as it is broken down into thirds. The top one-third is green and says "4TH INFANTRY DIVISION 'FIT FOR ANY TEST'." The words are inscribed in black letters. The middle one-third is white. On the left is the silver oak leaf denoting the rank of Lieutenant Colonel with the words "BATTALION COMMANDER" under neath. In the center is the DSTB crest, which I've described in other posts. On the right is the rank insignia of Command Sergeant Major with the words "BATTALION CSM" under neath. The lower one-third is also green in collor with the words "DIVISION SPECIAL TROOPS BATTALION AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE" inscribed in black letters. The reverse of the coin has an all green background with a mountain peak and the 4ID patch in the center. LTC Tedesco and others think the peak is Pikes Peak, but the designer of the coin tells me that it is in fact not Pikes Peak. More on the coin's designer in a bit. Across the top of the coin are the insignia of Headquarters Support Company--the Havoc Hounds, Alpha Company--"Attack Company," and the Bravo Company Bison. I have described these insignia in another post. Beneath the mountain peak are the insignia of the Charlie Company Cobras. In a post describing a previous Battalion coin, Charlie Company was then known as the Coyotes. They have since changed mascots. The new insignia features the words "CHARLIE COMPANY" above the Signal Corps insignia (the famous "wig-wag" flags, one being white with an orange lozenge in the center and the second being orange with a white lozenge in the center, the flag staffs are crossed over a torch). The C Company insignia also has a cobra with hood flared, prepared to strike. Beneath this is the word "COBRAS." The bottom center of the coin has the insignia of the Delta Company Protective Services Detail, a logo that I have described in a previous post. The last insignia is that of the 4ID Band, which has the 4ID patch featuring a lyre in the center. "4ID" appears above the patch, while "IVY BAND" appears beneath it.

The coin was actually designed by SPC Robin Portwood, who now works in the Battalion S-4 Section. SPC Portwood used to work for me in the S-6.

This coin will actually feature very prominently in my coin collection. Actually, both of these coins will be prominently displayed. For one thing, these coins will be important in terms of historical significance. As mentioned above, the coin itself is the last of the "DSTB, 4ID" coins. From this point, any new coins will be from the HHBN, as the Battalion is being re-flagged and re-designated. There will no longer be a Division Special Troops Battalion in the 4th Infantry Division. The coin is also the last one that will be awarded by LTC Matthew T. Tedesco or CSM Keith Moore in their capacities as the DSTB Commander and Command Sergeant Major, respectively. These coins also hold the same sentimental significance as other coins given to me by these two men.

And so, there you have it. Barring any surprises, I figure these are the last two coins that I will collect before I report to the Netherlands in the spring. I suppose it is possible that I could get coins from the new Division Commanding General and/or Division Command Sergeant Major. It is also possible that the in-coming HHBN Commander and/or CSM may award a new HHBN coin to me. But, the likelihood of being awarded any of these coins is very small. For one thing, with a baby on the way and as busy as I'm about to be with clearing and getting ready for my PCS move, I doubt I'll have time to make enough of an impression on these leaders to merit the awarding of a coin for anything. What's more, my coin rack is already so full that I do not have room enough to display all of the coins I have. Frankly, I think that's a good problem to have.