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Obverse Design
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The challenge coin has a spread eagle in the center, with the Ranger insignia
on the eagle's chest.
The Ranger
insignia is a shield with four cantons. A lightning bolt goes from the upper
right canton to the lower left canton.
The upper left canton has a 12 pointed star. The
lower right canton has a five pointed star.
The 12 pointed star is the Sun symbol from the Chinese Nationalist Flag and
represents the unit's close cooperation with the Chinese forces in the
China-Burma-India Theater. The five-point star represents the Star of Burma.
The lightning bolt is symbolic of behind-the-lines strikes, a specialty of
the Rangers. The eagle is holding a branch with berries in its right claw
(our left)
and a bundle of arrows in its left claw (our right). Above the eagle on the
left is a banner which says "SUA" and on the right is a banner which says "SPONTE".
"SUA SPONTE" means "OF THEIR OWN ACCORD". Note that the two banners have no
connecting middle section. This error distinguishes this variety from other similiar
varieties.
Along the bottom edge of the challenge coin is the motto "RANGERS LEAD THE WAY".
The coin has a smooth plain raised edge,
and a plain and smooth background.
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Reverse Design
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The center of the medal is blank, and this is where the name of the receipient
can be engraved.
There are two banners above the center. The top banner near
the top edge of the medal says simply "RANGER". The second banner
below says "2D
RANGER BN". In small font below the second banner
there are two lines "OCTOBER 1974" and "FT. LEWIS, WA". This is the date the
battalion was activated, and its home location.
Along the edge of the coin are different wars and combat locations of significance
to the Rangers. Between each name is a five-point star. Starting at the top
and going around the names are "POINTE DU HOC", "MYITKYINA","KOREA", "VIETNAM", "GRENADA",
"PANAMA", "AFGANISTAN" and "IRAQ".
The coin has a smooth plain raised edge,
and a plain and smooth background.
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Metal
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Unknown, has silver color.
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Weight
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30.75 grams.
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Size and Shape
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Round, 44.1 mm (about 1.75 inches) in diameter.
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Dates Issued
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Unknown, probably 2004 or 2005.
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Issuer
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2nd Ranger Battalion.
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Mintage
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Unknown.
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Rarity
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Common.
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Manufacturer
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Unknown.
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Source
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Plowman Collection.
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Varieties
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Six different 2nd Battalion varieties exist. Four varieties are similar. The first
pair were manufactured with the same die in different metals, one variety in plain
pewter and one with a bronze finish. Likewise the second pair were manufactured with
the same die in different metals, one variety in an unknown silver colored metal and
one with a bronze finish. The pairs can be distinguished by several differences.
The first pair is 40 mm in diameter and the second pair is 44.5 mm in diameter (1.75 inches).
On the second larger pair on the obverse, the banner over the eagle is missing the middle
section behind the eagle's head (which is a design error). The second pair's list of
combat locations on the reverse includes Afganistan and Iraq, which occurred after the
first pair were issued.
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Population Count
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This design is readily available on eBay as of February 2006.
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Historical Note
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The 2nd Ranger Battalion and A and B Companies, 3rd Battalion performed a combat
parachute assault on the Panamanian military base at Rio Hato starting about 1 AM
the morning of December 20th, 1989 as part of Operation Just Cause.
They were known as Task Force Red - Romeo. They took the runway in 30 minutes,
and spirited defense by the PDF ended within two hours. The Ranger killed
34 Panamanians and wounded an undetermined number. They captured 362 PDF soldiers.
The Rangers lost four soldiers, and suffered 18 wounded
in the fight and 26 injuried in the drop. The two soldiers from the 2nd Battalion
killed in action were Specialist Phillip Lear and PFC John Mark Price.
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