USS Cisco Challenge Coin

September 28, 1943 -- 76 Men Lost

A beautiful 1.75 inch brass coin honoring the men of World War II who gave their lives fighting for our country...

The front of the coin honors the USS Cisco SS 290. The back has the following quote:

"To the 374 officers and 3131 men of the Submarine Force who gave their lives in the winning of this war, I can assure you that they went down fighting and that their brothers who survived them took a grim toll of our savage enemy to avenge their deaths."

-Vice Admiral C.A. Lockwood, Jr. Commander Submarine Force, 1943 - 1946

About the USS Cisco (SS 290)...

Venturing out for her first war patrol, CISCO (Lt. Cmdr. J. W. Coe), left Port Darwin, Australia on September 18, 1943. That evening she returned to Darwin due to a derangement of the main hydraulic system which had occurred during the day?s operations. The hydraulic system having been repaired to the satisfaction of the Commanding officer, CISCO once more departed on 19 September.

CISCO?s area was a large rectangular one in the South China Sea between Luzon and the coast of French Indo-China. In order to reach it, she was to pass through the Arafoera Sea area, the Banda Sea, Manipa Strait, Molukka Passage, the Celebes Sea, Sibutu Passage, the Sulu Sea and Mindoro Strait. On 28 September, CISCO should have been due west of Mindanao in the center of the Sulu Sea. On that day a Japanese antisubmarine attack was made slightly north and east of CICSO?s expected position. In reporting the attack the Japanese state ?Found a sub tailing oil. Bombing. Ships cooperated with us. The oil continued to gush out even on tenth of October.? The attack would seem to have been made by planes in cooperation with ships. No submarine that returned from patrol reported having been attacked at this time and position.

Nothing had been seen of or heard from CISCO since her departure from Darwin, and on 4 and 5 November 1943, Headquarters Task Force Seventy-One was unable to make radio contact with her. At the time of her loss it was considered very unlikely that a recurrence of trouble with her main hydraulic system could explain her sinking, and the only other possible clue was the fact that a Japanese plane was reported over Darwin at twenty thousand feet on the morning of her second departure. The attack listed above is thought to probably explain this loss. No enemy minefields are known to have been in her area, or en route to it.

Coe had previously made three war patrols as Commanding Officer of S-39, and three as Commanding Officer of Skipjack. He was considered a most able and successful Submarine Officer.

Would make an excellent addition to your collection or for your favorite sailor! Collect the entire series!

OPTIONAL: Our Air-Tite acrylic cases provide the ultimate long-term protection for your coin. They are made of crystal clear, hard Acrylic and will never yellow over time; the foam rings are made of Volara and both are free of PVC that could damage your coin.