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Obverse Design
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The challenge coin has a small 82nd Airborne insignia in the center. This consists
of a large square with the letters "AA" inside.
The inner legs of the "A"'s are vertical and the outside legs are curved. Above
the square is a arc banner which says "AIRBORNE". The "AA" refers to the nickname
"All American Division" which was adopted by the organization in France during
World War I. The insignia is on top of a rifle which is enclosed in a box, with a
wreath behind the box. This is the Combat Infantryman badge.
The legend along the upper edge of the medal says
"82D AIRBORNE DIVISION".
Along the lower edge of the medal it says in quotes "AMERICAS GUARD OF HONOR".
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 central design consists of three badges staggered with one in front of the
other. The highest badge is a glider with featured wings. This is the
U.S. Army Glider badge. In front of it and a little lower is a helicopter with
feathered wings. This is the Air Assault badge. The lowest and front-most
badge is parachute with feathered wings on it. This is the badge of a Parachutist.
Below the badges is a raised smooth rectangle. This is where the name of the
receipient can be engraved.
Along the upper edge of the medal it says "WW-II VIETNAM".
Along the lower edge of the medal it says "PANAMA GRENADA PERSIAN GULF".
The coin has a smooth plain raised edge, and a plain and smooth background.
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Metal
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Bronze finish, metal unknown.
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Weight
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Unknown.
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Size and Shape
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Round, 41 mm in diameter.
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Dates Issued
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Unknown, after the Persian Gulf War (1991).
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Issuer
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82nd Airborne.
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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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There are several different challenge coins for the 82nd Airborne.
With this same basic design, there is a plain (not colored) variety, a fully
colored variety and a variety with only the insignia colored. The fully colored
variety has a circle around the "AA" which is not on the plain variety.
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Population Count
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These were being sold on eBay in 2002 for $10 each, but as of January 2006 none are
for sale.
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Historical Note
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The 82nd Division was formed in 1917 during World War I. At the time of
Operation Just Cause the 82nd Airborne Division was based in Fort Bragg, North
Carolina. In the early morning hours of December 20th, 1989, they performed a
combat jump on the Tocumen-Torrijos Airport complex outside of Panama City.
This was the first combat jump for the 82nd Airborne since World War II.
During Operation Just Cause four 82nd soldiers were killed in action, and many
others were injured.
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