The next coin up in my pursuit of the 36 millimeter (mm) silver $5 commemorative coins from the
Royal Canadian Mint (
RCM) is one that I purchased when it was originally released. I made the purchase because it fit in with one of my other collections: coins that commemorate joint history of the United States (US) and another country.
The
RCM coin commemorates the World War II "Devil's Brigade," the joint US-Canada commando unit officially known as the First Special Service Force. The unit was the forerunner of special operations type units in both countries. Soldiers from each country gathered in Helena, Montana at Fort William Henry Harrison for training beginning in 1942.
In 2013, the US Congress honored the First Special Service Force - American and Canadian members alike - with a Congressional Gold Medal for its dedicated service during World War II.
Following are the findings that the US Congress included about the FSSF in the authorizing legislation for the medal. I think they present a great overview and summary of the FSSF.
(1) The First Special Service Force (the "Force"), a military unit composed of volunteers from the United States and Canada, was activated in July 1942 at Fort Harrison near Helena, Montana.
(2) The Force was initially intended to target military and industrial installations that were supporting the German war effort, including important hydroelectric plants, which would severely limit the production of strategic materials used by the Axis powers.
(3) From July 1942 through June 1943, volunteers of the Force trained in hazardous, arctic conditions in the mountains of western Montana, and in the waterways of Camp Bradford, Virginia.
(4) The combat echelon of the Force totaled 1,800 soldiers, half from the United States and half from Canada.
(5) The Force also contained a service battalion, composed of 800 members from the United States, that provided important support for the combat troops.
(6) A special bond developed between the Canadian and United States soldiers, who were not segregated by country, although the commander of the Force was a United States colonel.
(7) The Force was the only unit formed during World War II that consisted of troops from Canada and the United States.
(8) In October 1943, the Force went to Italy, where it fought in battles south of Cassino, including Monte La Difensa and Monte Majo, two mountain peaks that were a critical anchor of the German defense line.
(9) During the night of December 3, 1943, the Force ascended to the top of the precipitous face of Monte La Difensa, where the Force suffered heavy casualties and overcame fierce resistance to overtake the German line.
(10) After the battle for La Difensa, the Force continued to fight tough battles at high altitudes, in rugged terrain, and in severe weather.
(11) After battles on the strongly defended Italian peaks of Sammucro, Vischiataro, and Remetanea, the size of the Force had been reduced from 1,800 soldiers to fewer than 500.
(12) For 4 months in 1944, the Force engaged in raids and aggressive patrols at the Anzio Beachhead.
(13) On June 4, 1944, members of the Force were among the first Allied troops to liberate Rome.
(14) After liberating Rome, the Force moved to southern Italy and prepared to assist in the liberation of France.
(15) During the early morning of August 15, 1944, members of the Force made silent landings on Les Iles D'Hyeres, small islands in the Mediterranean Sea along the southern coast of France.
(16) The Force faced a sustained and withering assault from the German garrisons as the Force progressed from the islands to the Franco-Italian border.
(17) After the Allied forces secured the Franco-Italian border, the United States Army ordered the disbandment of the Force on December 5, 1944, in Nice, France.
(18) During 251 days of combat, the Force suffered 2,314 casualties, or 134 percent of its authorized strength, captured thousands of prisoners, won 5 United States campaign stars and 8 Canadian battle honors, and never failed a mission.
(19) The United States is forever indebted to the acts of bravery and selflessness of the troops of the Force, who risked their lives for the cause of freedom.
(20) The efforts of the Force along the seas and skies of Europe were critical in repelling the advance of Nazi Germany and liberating numerous communities in France and Italy.
(21) The bond between the members of the Force from the United States and those from Canada has endured over the decades, as the members meet every year for a reunion, alternating between the United States and Canada.
(22) The traditions and honors exhibited by the Force are carried on by 2 outstanding active units of 2 great democracies, the Special Forces of the United States and the Canadian Special Operations Regiment. Ardell Bourgeois designed the Canadian coin's commemorative reverse. The main element of the design is a reproduction of the shoulder patch worn by all members of the FSSF; it is a spearhead with its tip up. "USA" is presented horizontally at the top near the tip and "CANADA" is presented vertically along the spine. The patch is flanked by a star, representing the US, to the left and a maple leaf, representing Canada, to the right.
(Note: The flanking positions given are from the viewer's perspective.)
Image is press image from Royal Canadian Mint.
A modern replica of the original patch.Bourgeois, was/is an artist residing in British Columbia. At the time of the Devil's Brigade coin, he was a well-known artist with focus on military-themed paintings; he has since become more focused on aviation-themed paintings though primarily with a military theme. He also designed the 2012 War of 1812 Bicentennial silver dollar, the 2015 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain $20 silver coin and the 2016 The Universe: Glow-in-the-Dark Glass $20 coin for the
RCM.
The Susanna Blunt portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is on the coin's obverse; the Blunt portrait of QEII began appearing on Canada's coins in 2003 and continues to the present day.
The coin was struck on a 36.07 mm 0.9999 fine silver planchet; it was struck with a proof finish. The coin weighs 23.17 grams and has a reeded / serrated edge. It was shipped in a maroon clamshell case within a black sleeve. The coin was placed on sale to the general public on July 3, 2013.
The issue price of the coin was $59.95 CAD; it had a published maximum mintage of 20,000. Per the 2013 Annual Report (AR) of the
RCM, sales of the coin totaled 6,879. The 2014 AR listed sales of an additional 376 coins, which brings total sales of the coin to 7,255. The
RCM also struck a 1/4-ounce proof gold version of the coin and silver and gold bullion pieces for sale by third parties. The proof gold coin, sold by the
RCM directly, had an issue price of $649.95 CAD and total sales of 555 (2013 + 2014 sales).
As I mentioned above, I purchased my Devil's Brigade coin directly from the
RCM and so paid $60 CAD for it - $20 above my current pursuit target. So, my total spend after the first seven coins is $277 against a target of $280. I'm still a few dollars under, but it's close!
In addition to the gold medal discussed above, the US Mint also struck bronze duplicates of the medal for sale to the public. Shown here is the obverse and reverse of the bronze medal; it has an uncirculated finish.
The US Mint describes the two sides of the medal as follows:
The obverse highlights the First Special Service Force's mountaineering, silent landings and waterway training abilities. The design incorporates the group's spearhead patch, representing the unique partnership between the United States and Canada.
The reverse features the First Special Service Force's insignia, with crossed arrows at the bottom of the design, and a banner in the eagle's beak that reads "USA" and "Canada."
Medal images courtesy of the US Mint, http://www.usmint.gov.
Posted 08/21/2020 12:10 am
