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CplFly
10-22-11, 09:57 AM
I received my uncles challenge coin when he passed away,SSGT Robert"Bob" Lapthorne,Korea,He was a F.O.,don't know MOS# for that time. I was wondering if anybody could tell me more about the coin. I know generally about the coins. Uncle Bob ALWAYS carried it[he wouldn't let me touch it until I joined[78-81,E-4,2531,3rd 175mm Gun Btry{sp} 4/11,MCAGCC 29 Palms] The coin is about 1in. in diameter,bronze,? [med brown,the wearing comes thru with a dull yellow shine] One side has the eagle,globe and anchor.Semper Fidelis at the top,1775 at bottom. the other side has, "Presented by the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps" around edge, with the Sgt. Maj. of Marine Corps chevrons in center. Any history of this coin,Did the Sgt. Major give these our personally? Are there different coins for different acts? Any information anyone can give on this coin would be appreciated. Uncle Bob never really talked about what he did/went thru in Korea.So I don't know why he received this. He was stationed in 29 Palms also, It was neat to go the old A+W root beer place just out of town, where Uncle Bob and Aunt Judy used to go and have a root beer float. Thank you for any info you can get me, Scott J. Lapthorne

Sgt Leprechaun
10-24-11, 10:02 PM
I don't know much about the coins, but it sounds like you have a SgtMaj of the Marine Corps one. YES, these are personally given out by the person, it's tradition to do so, this wouldn't have been bought, or mailed or anything else, but handed personally to your Uncle by the SgtMaj of the Marine Corps.

Basically your Uncle met with the SgtMaj at some point and he got the coin. Probably for being a Korean war vet, maybe even a Chosin vet. I'd suggest contacting NARA for his records, they'll tell the story.

mallocsmith
11-12-11, 12:42 AM
Hello,

Thank you so much for sharing!!!!!!











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