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Olympia Journey Home Challenge Coin
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Olympia Journey Home Challenge Coin
This challenge coin commemorates the journey home of the WW1 Unknown Soldier aboard the U.S.S. Olympia. The front of the coin features an image of the U.S.S. Olympia powering through rough seas. Both the ship and the waves are rendered in 3D. The two anchors on each side represent the ports of Le Harve, France and the Washington Navy Yard, where the ships journey began and ended. The backside of the coin features the name of the ship's Captain Henry Lake Wyman, and the name of the Captain of the U.S. Marine Corps detachment Graves B. Erskine, assigned to escort the Unknown Soldier home on board the ship, to the United States. The center of the coin features the words of ships Chaplain Lt. Duff given to the crew during a prayer service as a hurricane lashed the ship on its way home. Each coin measures 2'' in diameter and has a shiny gold finish.
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Did you know?
Has anyone ever tried to get past the Tomb guards, or attempted to deface the Tomb?
Yes, that is the reason why we now guard the Tomb. Back in the early 1920's, we didn't have guards and the Tomb looked much different. It was flat at ground level without the 70 ton marble 'cap'. People often came to the cemetery in those days and a few actually used the Tomb as a picnic area, likely because of the view. Soon after in 1925, they posted a civilian guard. In 1926, a US Army soldier was posted during cemetery hours. On July 1, 1937 guard duty was expanded to the 24 hour watch. Since then, the ceremony has evolved throughout the years to what you see today. Today, most of the challenges faced by the Sentinels are tourists who are speaking too loudly or attempting to get a better picture (by entering the post).
