Commems Collection Modern: What If? 2018 Duty First / To Avoid Confusion

Collectors might wonder about the relation of the 2018 Duty First commemorative coin proposal to the 2012 National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act.

The 2018 coin bills were specific to the 1st Infantry Division. The National Infantry Museum coin bill's remit was "commemoration of the legacy of the United States Army Infantry and the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center." A much broader objective.

The Sponsor/Beneficiary of the 2012 coins was the National Infantry Foundation. It was to use the funds "for the purpose of establishing an endowment to support the maintenance of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center following its completion."

As noted in What If? 2018 Duty First / House, the Sponsor/Beneficiary of the later effort was the Society of 1st Infantry Division "for renovation of the existing 1st Infantry Division Memorial located in the District of Columbia."

The coin programs (2012 & 2018) may have both been Infantry-related, but were definitely designed to serve different purposes. It's certainly plausible, however, to envision some in Congress viewing the 2018 proposals as an attempt to "double dip" on top of 2012 Infantry coin and thus withholding support.


For more of my stories about commemorative coins and medals, including other What If? stories, see: Commems Collection.