World War II Challenge Coins
Honoring The Past With Lessons For The Future
The number of casualties through the course of World War II is so immense that no source can definitively put a number to it. According to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, somewhere around 15 million lives were lost in battle and 45 million civilians were killed all around the world. These numbers are horrific on their own without the additional footnote that says China alone could have lost up to 50 million civilian lives. Not all of the lives lost in World War II have been accounted for in the post-war years. The conflict will forever remain as a stain of terrible consequence on the history of the world.
As people of this world, it is our responsibility to learn from the past and honor the fallen who fought to protect their homelands. 2020 marks the 75 year anniversary of the end of the war. All around the world, commemorative ceremonies will be held and the few surviving veterans honored. Custom Veteran challenge coins are custom designed to commemorate these moments and represent the sacrifices of each soldier. They are physical symbols of courage, integrity, and accomplishment. For both veterans and civilians, they impart the lessons learned across the world at the close of the war.
The construction of WWII challenge coins is precise and accomplished with careful attention to detail. The purpose of custom WWII challenge coins is to impart the significance of what happened in Europe and throughout the Pacific during the war. They pay respect to thousands of fallen warriors and represent the values of honor, humility, and service that defined the greatest generation.
Signature Coins has been making custom military challenge coins for over 15 years. Our team of artists has nothing but respect for the service members working to protect their home. This translates into custom coin design through incredible detail and craftsmanship. To get started on a custom design for a set of WWII challenge coins, follow one of the links below.
War In Europe
Perhaps one of the most defining battles on European soil during WWII was the Battle of Normandy. The American, British, and Canadian forces that invaded the beaches of France on June 6th, 1944 started the victorious momentum that lead to the end of the war in Europe. An estimated 156,000 allied troops made up one of the largest amphibious invasion forces in history.
Preparation for invasion took months of planning. Allied forces fed a constant stream of misinformation to the Germans, indicating Pas-de-Calais and Norway as intended targets for their offensive. General Dwight Eisenhower was named commander of the invasion dubbed Operation Overlord. On the night of June 5th as troops prepared to set out, Eisenhower addressed them saying, “You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you.”
More than 5,000 ships and 11,000 aircraft were organized for the invasion. In the resulting battle, it is estimated that around 4,000 allied troops lost their lives. The German forces were pushed back and the Allies were victorious. It took less than a week from the initial invasion for the beaches to be fully secured. By June 11th, more than 360,000 troops, 50,000 vehicles, and 100,000 pounds of equipment were standing on the Normandy shores preparing to push deeper into Europe.
Allied victory after the D-Day invasion turned the tide against the Axis powers and lead to overall victory in Europe. The Battle of Normandy is not the only battle of substance throughout the war, however. Each conflict resulted in the loss of life. Brave soldiers fought with everything they had to defend their homeland, their families, and their brother’s in arms. In victory and defeat, each battle should be remembered.
Custom WWII challenge coins are crafted to honor victory and defeat, as well as fallen warriors and victorious forces. Custom designs incorporate commemorative dates, locations, and inspirational words that reference famous battles like:
- D-Day
- The Battle of the Bulge
- The Battle of Britain
- The Battle of Berlin
- The Battle of Moscow
These and countless other operations are remembered as examples of the incredible price of war and the amazing courage of the soldiers fighting to defend their homes. WWII challenge coins are created as a piece of history stamped into metal. Designs are made with the insignias, flags, and mottos of military units within each of the Allied forces including:
- The United States
- Britain
- France
- Australia
- Canada
- Soviet Union
- China
These nations and others joined forces against the Axis power during WWII. Each sustained heavy casualties in the war effort. Custom coins represent each nation’s contribution, but also bring the nations together through a shared history. WWII challenge coins remind us all of the terrible price paid in conflict and they personify what it means to be a courageous soldier.
Ready To Get Started?
Ready To Get Started?
Challenge Coin Examples
War In The Pacific
America's military presence in World War II was not felt until after the events of December 7th, 1941. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a preemptive strike against the United States Navy by the Japanese forces. After the signing of the Tripartite Pact, essentially forming the Axis powers of World War II, Japan believed conflict with the United States to be inevitable.
Both Britain and the United States had ceased all trade of valuable resources with Japan. The war effort demanded that Japan have access to oil and other important supplies necessary to power a military force. They began organizing plans to invade British and Dutch territories throughout the South Pacific that held an abundance of supplies of resources.
Knowing this would incur the wrath of American Forces, Japan launched an attack against the United States Naval Base in Hawaii. The entire attack lasted only an hour and fifteen minutes yet the resulting destruction was harrowing. 2,403 military personnel were killed in the attack with an additional 1,178 service members injured. 19 Navy ships were either destroyed or damaged. The Navy also lost 92 aircraft and the Army Air Corps lost 77 aircraft.
The American forces rallied quickly. Just 6 months after the Pearl Harbor attack, the United State earned a decisive victory in the Pacific against Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto’s Japanese fleet. The Battle of Midway resulted in the sinking of four Japanese carriers and began the American island-hopping campaign.
World War II challenge coins commemorate the historic victories of the American and Allied forces throughout the war. They also commemorate the service of the soldiers who lost their lives defending our shores.
Japan intended on issuing a declaration of war against the United States before engaging in the attack against Pearl Harbor. Their message would have adhered to the outlines of the Hague Convention of 1907, however, their declaration was delayed and not received by officials in Washington until the attack was already in progress.
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the orchestrator of the offensive movement against the United States Navy, wrote, “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.”
World War II challenge coins are a reminder of the incredible power of the United States Armed Forces, and of the ability of our Nation to unite against any adversary. They symbolize the American resolve to never accept defeat and rise above any challenge to emerge victoriously. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a tragedy and terrible loss for the entire Nation, and it set into motion an incredible offensive that decimated the Japanese forces in the Pacific.
Call and Speak to a Specialist Today
Honoring the History Of WWII
The effects of World War II shook the entire world. Few, if any, nations escaped from the infection of war. Monuments, memorials, and museums have been erected across several nations that are dedicated to preserving the memories of World War II.
Custom World War II challenge coins are designed to honor specific battles, historical sites, and places like:
- The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana
- WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
- National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas
- The Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, Germany
- Omaha Beach in France
- The Oskar Schindler Factory in Poland
- The American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France
While some of these places are stained with the blood of thousands, each needs to be remembered, honored, and preserved. It is our responsibility as people of the world to remember what happened across the battlefields of World War II. The lessons and values that permeate through each World War II challenge coin ensure that the generations to come will never forget the lives that were lost and the victories that were won. Honor, integrity, courage, and loyalty are imbued in every World War II challenge coin.
Call and Speak to a Specialist Today
Signature Coins
Signature Coins takes particular care when creating custom veteran and military challenge coins. The meaningful weight of WWII challenge coins comes from the carefully crafted designs of important battles, memorials, and heroes. We believe it is our duty to do justice in representing the amazing sacrifices that soldiers and veterans make while defending our nation.
To get started on your order of custom challenge coins, just follow the steps below. We have created a simple 3 step process that keeps ordering simple and streamlined.
- First, fill out an order form. Our design team will read over your design ideas and create something completely original for you. We should have free artwork and a free quote ready for you within 24 to 48 hours.
- Second, let us know if there are any adjustments or additions you would like to make in the design. We encourage feedback and offer free unlimited revisions.
- Third, finalize your order! We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and work hard to meet all deadlines. Production usually takes around 14 business days. Our team will provide tracking information and updates throughout the production timetable.
Thank you for choosing Signature Coins as a partner in creating custom WWII challenge coins! We are excited to get started!