The Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) recently reviewed design candidates prepared by the United States Mint for the First Special Service Force Congressional Gold Medal. The group offered their recommendations for the obverse and reverse designs to appear on the medal.
The First Special Service Force, also known as the “Devil’s Brigade” was an elite joint American-Canadian commando unit which fought battles during World War II at high altitudes, in rugged terrain, and severe weather. During 251 days of combat, the Force captured thousands of prisoners and liberated numerous communities in France and Italy. Having never failed a mission, the Force won five United States campaign stars and eight Canadian battle honors. The modern American and Canadian special operations forces trace their heritage to this unit.
Under Public Law 113-16, the Congressional Gold Medal will be collectively awarded to the First Special Service Force in recognition of their superior service during World War II.
From a field of 18 obverse and 21 reverse design candidates, the CFA recommended obverse alternative #8 and reverse alternative #2. Members commented on the strong three-dimensional character and clear compositional elements of the recommended obverse. Members felt that the recommended reverse, which was also supported by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), had a composition which was compatible with the recommended obverse.
Since there was not a quorum present at the CFA meeting, the recommendations of the attending members will be placed on the administrative agenda for confirmation at the next meeting.
The authority to select the final designs for the medal rests with the Secretary of the Treasury, who will take into account the recommendations of the CFA and CCAC.
Following the award of the Congressional Gold Medal, the authorizing legislation provides that the medal shall be given to the First Special Service Force Association in Helena, Montana, where it will be available for display or temporary loan. The Secretary of the Treasury has the authority to strike duplicate versions of the medal in bronze, which will be made available for sale to the public.
I worked with the FSSF reunion organization staff in Windsor, Ontario, Canada in 2013. I feel the – 0 – 08 design version is most fitting and appropriate. I do hope, once the design is approved, that I’ll be able to purchase a bronze version of the medal when they go on sale to the general public.
This is indeed the design that captures the spirt of Force.
This is awesome! I have forever been in awe of these men and what they accomplished since I learned about them as a young Airmen in the Air Force. It is an honor to wear the uniform and know that I uphold the legacy that these men left for us. God Bless and I cannot wait to see the final coin!
V/R
SSgt Lombardi, TJ
I would like two . My father belonged to this and we have been to Helena, MT.
My father-in-law, Mr. Cecil J Clark was a member of the FSSF and fought in all the campaigns. I have asked his local Congressional Representative to make arrangements to award the bronze version of this medal to Mr. Clark when they become available. I really like the design of this medal.
My Father served with the FSSF. He ended up wounded three times and I have a photo showing his three bars and the FSSF Red Spear on his arm. Somehow, he ended up in the Pacific Theatre as well. I would to have asked him about his war time experiences but he would not talk about it.
I wonder what sort of renderings the committee was viewing to choose from. The design reproduced above is a finely-detailed black-on-white line drawing with lots of graduated shading. The execution as a monochrome relief design on a metal disk will be…much different. The design drawing shown above, in my view, gives a very distorted idea of what the final medal will look like.
I suspect that decisions based on oversize line drawings are why so many of the state quarter designs were, in my opinion, very unsatisfactory.
Mr.Hart,
Why not wait to see the the wonderful work that the U.S Mint’s sculptors and engravers actually execute in interpreting this design in three dimensions, before casting prejudicial aspersions?
My Father was in 6-1. I think its just awesome.
My father served in fssf 6-3. I like the 0-08 design
My Dad was a proud FSSF volunteer from Canada. He was there from the beginning at Fort Harrison. He didn’t share very much about this time in his life, a few funny stories, but none of the rough times One thing I do recall him saying was that Frederick was a mans man and the men of the Force would follow him anywhere..I have read ” A Perfect Hell” so have a better understanding about how brave these young men were.Now they are old or no longer with us, wish this honor had happened 20 years ago.
enough, let’s get it done. I have a 97 year old 1SSF vet here in YYC waiting, F sakes. They’ll all be dead, F sakes!
Well our dad was in 6-3 and like my brother David the design is very nice, the presentaion was one my mother and I enjoyed and will never forget.
Yes they got it right, just to bad it took so long and many never got to be where they deserved to be. I will say everyone who did make it that day would have given their place in line for the ones who did not come home at all – but in memory!
these men were all true brothers in arms, during and after the war, not the Hollywood version! The only part of he movie that was true, was general Frederick was a great leader and a hero to every man of the force!
Since going to the many reunions on both sides of the US Canada border we have enlarged my family 10 fold.
Proud of Son’s of Myrle T Buck Woolman 6-3 FSSF