World War II Commemorative
On December 7, 1941 and on September 11, 2001, deliberate acts of
unimaginable evil were perpetrated against the United States of America.
As a result of these devastating attacks, many innocent American lives
were lost.
Separated by just sixty years, these two incidents shocked the
nation and the world, each propelling America into a necessary war to
preserve freedom and avenge injustice.
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which catapulted
America into World War 2, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt inspired
the nation, declaring that the American people "...would win through to
absolute victory." Echoing Roosevelt's address to the nation six decades
earlier, President George W. Bush assured the nation on September 11,
2001 that "America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this
time."
This coin pays tribute to all those who lost their lives on December
7, 1941 and September 11, 2001 and salutes the sacrifice of those who
took up arms to defend their honor. Featured on the obverse is the
unforgettable image of the USS Arizona (BB-39) under surprise attack
from Japanese bombers. The reverse contains a rendering of the
three scenes of destruction on September 11, 2001: the Pentagon, the
Twin Towers, and the open field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
This coin is struck in a brass alloy and contains an antique bronze
finish. Each coin comes with a detailed header card that describes the
mission and history of the U.S. Department of Defense.