Obverse Design

The challenge coin has a "mark of Zorro" "Z" in the center with a sword connecting the ends of the "Z", making it look like an hour glass. This device is the insignia of the 7th Infantry Division. It is surrounded by eight insignia of different support groups. Above is an eagle on a wheel with a crossed sword and key, the insignia of the Quartermaster's Corps. To our upper left is a bomb with a flame coming out, the "shell and flame" insignia of the Ordinance Corps. Next on our left is a caduceus (a snake around a staff with wings on it), the insignia for the Medical Corps. To our lower left are crossed flags with a torch, the insignia of the Signal Corps. On the bottom is a ship's steering wheel with a shield superimposed on it, and on the shield a winged car wheel. This is the insignia of the Transportation Corps. To our upper right is a shield with 13 vertical stripes, one large and 12 small stars at the top of the shield. This is the insignia of the Adjutant General's Corps. Next on the right is a vertical propeller between two wings, the insignia of the Army Aviation Corps. On our lower right is a benzene ring (a hexagon) superimposed on crossed retorts (glass lab bottles), which is the insignia of the Chemical Corps.

The legend along the upper edge of the medal says "COMMANDER'S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE". Along the lower edge the legend says "DIVISION SUPPORT COMMAND". The two legends almost meet at the left and right of the coin but have no dividers. An inner circle separates the legends from the inside designs of the medal. The coin has a smooth plain raised edge, and a plain and smooth background.
Reverse Design

The center of the medal has a bayonet with a circle superimposed on it. The circle has an hour glass, the insignia of the 7th Infantry Division. Curved above the bayonet is the word "BAYONET" and curving below is the word "SUPPORT". The 7th was code-named "Bayonet" during its movement to Korea for the Korean War. The code-name stuck as a "nickname" for the 7th Infantry Division from then on. Below the word "SUPPORT" is a raised smooth rectangle. This is where the name of the receipient can be engraved.

The legend along the upper edge of the medal says "7TH INFANTRY DIVISION (LIGHT)". Along the lower edge the legend says "PANAMA", then in two lines "LIGHT FIGHTER" above and "DISCOM" below, and then "JTF . LA". The two legends almost meet at the left and right of the coin but have no dividers. An inner circle separates the legends from the inside designs of the medal, except a the bottom on the challenge coin where the legend "LIGHT FIGHTER" appears. The coin has a smooth plain raised edge, and a plain and smooth background.
Metal Brown/tan, metal unknown. Weight Unknown. Size and Shape Round, 40 mm in diameter.
Dates Issued Unknown, probably after Just Cause Operation December 1989 and by 1994. Rather than listing all the combat locations of the 7th Infantry Division, this piece appears to be specific to Panama and Operation Just Cause. Therefore it was probably issued in December 1989 or early 1990. The division was offically deactivated in 1994, and then reactivated later as a National Guard unit.
Issuer 7th Infantry Division, Division Support Commander.
Mintage Unknown.
Rarity Scarce. Manufacturer Unknown. Source Plowman Collection.
Varieties Two varieties are known, with similar designs. Differences include that CH-7.02 has the dates 1957 and 1993 under the bayonet, and CH-7.01 does not. CH-7.02 is also slightly smaller, and has two rectangles for engravings instead of one.
Historical Note

The 7th Infantry Division, commanded by Major General Carmen Cavezza, performed many critical tasks during Operation Just Cause. Elements of the 7th Infantry Division involved included the 7th Medical Battalion, the 7th Military Police Company, the 9th Infantry Regiment, the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, the 17th Infantry Regiment, the 21st Infantry Regiment, the 27th Infantry Regiment, the 41st Area Support Group, the 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, the 107th Military Intelligence Battalion and the 123rd Aviation Regiment. Killed in action were Specialist William D. Gibbs of the 17th Infantry Regiment and Chief Warrant Officier Second Class Andrew P. Porter of the 123rd Aviation Regiment.