RARE Medal of Honor Clyde Lassen Navy MoH Naval USN Japan Vietnam Challenge Coin

Description: This auction is for a AUTHENTIC and RARE Medal of Honor Clyde Lassen Navy MoH Naval USN Japan Vietnam Challenge CoinFor conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as pilot and aircraft commander of a search and rescue helicopter, attached to Helicopter Support Squadron 7, during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. Launched shortly after midnight to attempt the rescue of 2 downed aviators, Lt. (then Lt. (J.G.)) Lassen skillfully piloted his aircraft over unknown and hostile terrain to a steep, tree-covered hill on which the survivors had been located. Although enemy fire was being directed at the helicopter, he initially landed in a clear area near the base of the hill, but, due to the dense undergrowth, the survivors could not reach the helicopter. With the aid of flare illumination, Lt. Lassen successfully accomplished a hover between 2 trees at the survivors' position. Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended, and the helicopter collided with a tree, commencing a sharp descent. Expertly righting his aircraft and maneuvering clear, Lt. Lassen remained in the area, determined to make another rescue attempt, and encouraged the downed aviators while awaiting resumption of flare illumination. After another unsuccessful, illuminated rescue attempt, and with his fuel dangerously low and his aircraft significantly damaged, he launched again and commenced another approach in the face of the continuing enemy opposition. When flare illumination was again lost, Lt. Lassen, fully aware of the dangers in clearly revealing his position to the enemy, turned on his landing lights and completed the landing. On this attempt, the survivors were able to make their way to the helicopter. En route to the coast he encountered and successfully evaded additional hostile antiaircraft fire and, with fuel for only 5 minutes of flight remaining, landed safely aboardI’m thinning out my Challenge Coin collection and need to get rid of most of my coins. There will be no Second Chance Offers as this is the only one that I have. I drastically reduce shipping with each auction you win within the same order!!!Let me know if you have any questions.This coin is NOT a reproduction. Nor is it a Chinese knock-off done by an overstamp (the process of taking an authentic coin and stamping it wax to build a mold to make knock-offs. You can generally tell these coins by their lack of detail, shallow relief, poor epoxy and paint, and overall "something is not-quite-rightness") I have served in both the Army and Air Force, in the Pentagon for senior military leaders, at the Old Guard, the Army's Escort to the President, and for numerous units all over the world. I know coins, know what they mean both as professional mementos and collectibles. I'm not by any means the fore most authority, but I've owned literally thousands of coins in my collection, and will do what I can to provide you with the highest quality product and information. Best Regards! I do try to incorporate recycled shipping materials into my orders; mailers, boxes, coin sleeves, bubble wrap if necessary, etc. I do this to keep my shipping cost down and in doing so, pass those savings on to you. The size, shape, and weight of your coin will dictate the packaging and how it is mailed. We do dollar cost averaging to ensure that we can keep USPS First Class mail cost down. I take ALL photos in natural sun light to try to best capture true color. This can make some softer bronzes seem almost grey and shiny gold-tones appear silver. I find the natural sun light gives the best contrast for 3d detail and preserves natural epoxy color. The counter to this is it can also cause a glare at the tops of coins with High Gloss coatings. Please email me with ANY questions. Please support your local VFWThank you for your consideration

Price: 35 USD

Location: Dallas, Texas

End Time: 2024-08-18T02:57:50.000Z

Shipping Cost: 4.95 USD