C004753

Round shaped coin, antique brass in color, 1 5/8 inches in diameter.

SIDE 1 - Round red disc with a broad dark blue band from northwest to southeast, a white medieval helmet face forward and three 4-pointed stars on the blue band, a white cross with arrowhead tips at the top right and a white sword at the bottom left; surrounded by an antique brass colored ring with the words, "523D FIGHTER SQ" above, and, "CRUSADERS" below; all surrounded by an antique brass colored border.

SIDE 2- F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft mounted on a round disc with five 5-pointed stars above, two 5-pointed stars below left, and three 5-pointed stars below right (523rd Squadron); surrounded by a wide ring with narrow border inside and wider border without; all various shades of antique brass in color.

Journal - Page 108 - Line 27

ED Note: This coin was found with Desert Storm memorabilia.

The 523d Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 27th Operations Group stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. Until its inactivation in 2007, the 523d had been engaged in every major combat action the United States had engaged in since its activation in 1940 (World War II, both Pacific and European Theaters; Korean War; Vietnam War; Operation Desert Storm; Global War on Terrorism). When last active, it flew the F-16 Falcon (1995-2007).