From: 52m37@charter.net
Date: Thu Jan 05 2006 - 20:26:50 PST
I can help with this one. what you have is called a challenge coin. It is
for the 3rd special Forces Group, 1st special forces. Let me address the
'challenge; part first. The coins are an esprit de Corp thing started by the
10th SFG Abn in Germany back in the 60's (I think, it is difficult to pin
down the exact date but but my research indicate it was Col. Ludwig
Fastenhammer who started this whole thing). There is generally a place on
the coin for engraving your name or serial number and the date you completed
SF training or joined the unit. SF types are NEVER without their coin. The
challenge come at the bar. When a round of drinks are ordered the coins come
out. If you do not have your coin, shame on you- you buy the round. If
everyone has a coin the newest member buys the round. I am sure there are
variations on the theme here but that is how I learned it.
The ODA stand for Operational Detachment A then the number. There are/were A
and B Detachments. The A detachments were generally 12 man teams the old
)Viet Nam period A teams. B detachments were larger, and I do not recall the
size. This may be different now. The number usually contains the first digit
that identifies the SF Group. Perhaps your number begins with a 3?
There are many of these coins for SF units and now just about every unit has
a coin. A few years ago they started including colors on the coins. The
older ones were silver or brass colored.
The coins often provide a mini history of the unit showing the battle
credits, crest, oval and beret flash and or shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI).
I have about 300 coins in my collection and they are all from SF, Airborne,
Ranger and other 'elite ' units. the Air Force, Navy and USMC also have
coins as do some foreign country units.
I would be very interested in seeing a pic of your coin.
Hope this helps.
Hal
> From: "J. L." <milveh@dslextreme.com>
> Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 18:31:22 -0800
> To: "Military Vehicles Mailing List" <mil-veh@mil-veh.org>
> Subject: Re: [MV] Question about Army medallion
>
> Got a lil military question for ya'l. My kid gave me this medallion which
> looks like a souvenir coin about the size of a silver dollar. It's from the
> 1st SF group ABN - 3d SF Bn. It has a special number inscribed on it...
> ODA193.
>
> He says they use this ODA number to see who buys at the bar. My question is
> what does O-D-A mean and what is the significance of the 3 digit number?
> Anyone?
>
> I would ask him, however he is deployed and you know how it goes with these
> guys, they are out of contact for long periods.
>
> Thanks, Jack
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