The challenge coin has a coat-of-arms in the center. The bottom of the coat-of-arms consists of a shield with a diagonal bar going across from the lower right to the upper left. On the bar is a leopard. Below the shield is a banner with the motto "FURY FROM THE SKY". Sitting on the shield is a wyvern facing left. To the left of the coat-of-arms it says "1" (for the 1st Battalion); to the right of the coat-of-arms it says "508" (for the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment). In a small size on the lower left it has the letter "A" in a circle and a "WO". In the same small size on the lower right is the letter "C" in a circle (the symbol for copyright) and "90" (1990). Under the "90" are the initials "DKP".

The legend has five-point stars as dividers. Along the edge of the medal starting at the bottom it says "WWII", star, "DOMINICAN REPUBLIC", star, "VIETNAM", star, "GRENEDA", star, "PANAMA". The coin has a smooth plain raised edge, and a plain and smooth background.

The center of the medal has a scroll partially unrolled, with a rod through the rolled up portion at the top. This is where the name of the recipient can be engraved. Above and overlapping the top of the scroll is a design of a parachute with feathered wings on it. Above the parachute is a small five-point star in a wreath of feathered wings. This is the badge of a Master Parachutist. To the left of the bottom of the scroll in a small size it has the letter "A" in a circle. Under that symbol are the initials "WSO". In the same small size to the right of the bottom of the scroll is the letter "C" in a circle (the symbol for copyright). Under the copyright symbol are the initials "DKP".

Along the bottom edge of the medal it says "AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY". The coin has a smooth plain raised edge, and a plain and smooth background.

The 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment was activated on October 20, 1942 at Camp Blanding, Florida. At the time of Operation Just Cause, the 1st Battalion was part of the 193rd Infantry Brigade. Companies A and B formed the core of Task Force Red Devil. They flew in by helicopter from Howard AFB and assaulted and seized Fort Amador from the PDF. They were the first unit to engage the PDF in Operation Just Cause. Company C was part of Task Force Gator which assaulted La Commandancia in some of the most fierce fighting of Operation Just Cause. PFC Vance Coats and Sergeant Michael DeBlois of Company C died during this engagement.