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HISTORY OF THE CHALLENGE COIN
Shortly after acquiring the medallions, the 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 for 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 escaped. However, he was without personal identification.
He succeeded in avoiding German patrols by donning civilian attire and reached the front lines. With great difficulty, he crossed no-man's land. Eventually, he stumbled onto a French outpost. Unfortunately, saboteurs had plagued the French in the sector. 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. He had no identification to prove his allegiance, but he did have his leather pouch containing the medallion. He showed the medallion to his would-be executioners and one of his French captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion. They delayed his execution long enough for him to confirm his identity. Instead of shooting him they gave him a bottle of wine.
Back at his squadron, it became tradition to ensure that all members carried their medallion or coin at all times. This was accomplished through challenge in the following manner - a challenger would ask to see the medallion. If the challenged could not produce a medallion, they were required to buy a drink of choice for the member who challenged them. If the challenged member produced a medallion, then the challenging member was required to pay for the drink. This tradition continued on throughout the war and for many years after the war while surviving members of the squadron were still alive.
3rd Basic Cadet Training School
Basic Cadet Training School The third BCTS that took place 6-8 of November was a successful one. From drill to memory work, PT to classes, and some more drill, all the cadets (and seniors) who attended had a very busy weekend. This time around it was held at Cispus Learning Center in Randle. Like previous BCTS weekends, new cadets learned all about being a good cadet, from memorizing the cadet oath, to how to properly iron their uniforms. There was a lot of marching (as always) and lots of rain.
\One of the main goals of BCTS is for each cadet to earn his or her next stripe, which sometimes is their first. Campbel Dollarhyde, Griffyn Dollarhyde, Daniel Fisher, Caleb Gillaspie, Scott Heryford, Gerald Hughes, and Jeremiah Oster all earned their first stripe, Cadet Airman. Cadets Ellen Lamphere, Ryan Medeiros, and Mitchell Thompson achieved their second stripe. Cadet Jordan Bartlow earned his milestone Staff Sergeant, and Kayla Hughes achieved her Senior Master Sergeant. It would not have been possible for the weekend to run smoothly without the instructors and senior members.
So, a big thanks to instructors C/Ssgt Bartlow, C/MSgt Bell, and C/SMSgt Hughes, C/Ssgt Sizemore,and C/Ssgt Cheyenne Sibitzky. And also a huge thank you to senior members 1Lt Bell, Capt Tibbits, and Capt Whalen.
Recent News
Our Squadron was chosen to recieve the above awards for the year of 2008 based on our Cadet and Senior accomplishments.
Fireball Squadron Newsletter
Current and past editions of our squadron produced periodical.
Latest Edition
Drill Schedule
Current drill schedule for the quarter.Civil Air Patrol is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation. Each squadron is responsible for raising its own funds. Donations are used for special events, assistance for cadet scholarships and various aerospace training, education and leadership programs.
To make a tax-deductible donation, please contact Captain Daniel Whalen at 360-520-9413 or email at whalenworks@gmail.com