Posted 13 years ago
Matt52
(1 item)
I have inherited this NOTS China Lake, 7 June 1963 JFK Presidential visit commemorative coin but was never told the back story as to how my family member got this coin. So far I have only been able to find any information about this coin at this website: http://www.chinalakealumni.org/Insignia.htm. If you have any extra information about the history of the coin I would be very greatful.
I have the same JFK coin. My grandfather worked for China Lake (which is in my home town where I was born and raised, Ridgecrest CA.) so he was there when JFK came to visit, he was actually one of the men JFK was there to honor. China Lake is the biggest naval base in the U.S. and my grandpa helped invent the missile still used today. When he arrived he was driving in a car and throwing these coins out for the community to catch and keep. Then he went inside to meet and greet the men/women he was there to honor, shook their hands and handed them a coin as well. It was 5 months before JFK was assassinated. My grandma remembers bringing my uncle there to watch, and a coin landed near my uncle (who was a small child at the time, this was before she was with my grandfather,) when my uncle went to grab the coin an army man stepped on it, and his hand, and took it from him. (My grandma remembers the day like it was yesterday) I hope this helps answer some of your questions about the background of this coin.
Check out highdesertmemories.com
I was stationed at China Lake when the president came to China Lake. Was assigned to help with security of his car. Yes, those of us in the Navy and Marines were assigned to assist with the travel for the president's car. He threw those coins out to the crowd. Sadly, I was not able to break ranks to grab one. Ended up marrying a local girl there, Janet Davis.
Medal is K-63-3 from the book Medallic Portraits of John F. Kennedy, by Edward C. Rochette, 1966 . It's on page 54. 6,500 were struck and originally sold for $1.00