USN USS GERMANTOWN LSD 42 Challenge Coin – Product Details
About This Coin
Designed to honor the crew of this mighty amphibious warship, the coin reflects Germantown’s critical mission: projecting power ashore by transporting and launching amphibious craft and vehicles loaded with embarked Marines in support of amphibious assault . As the first ship in its class to serve in the Pacific and a key forward-deployed asset in the U.S. 7th Fleet for nearly a decade, USS Germantown has participated in operations including Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and exercises such as Cobra Gold, Valiant Shield, and Talisman Sabre across the Indo-Pacific
Core Features
1. USS Germantown Ship’s Crest & Amphibious Warfare Design
The coin prominently features the official USS Germantown ship’s crest — a design rich with historical and military symbolism . Focused in the center is a black eagle symbolizing Germany, as early immigrants from Germany settled outside Philadelphia to form the community of Germantown. The keystone on the eagle refers to the State of Pennsylvania, while the wavy form encompassed in the keystone represents a spring at the site of the Battle of Germantown — whose water was used to christen the first ship named Germantown .
The eagle is armed in red and gold, referring to the Marine Corps in support of the ship’s amphibious assault missions. A scarlet and gold castle tower represents the German town of Krefeld, where the founders of Germantown originated. Two colonial-style bayonets recall the Revolutionary War battle, with stars marking the two ships named for this historic location .
2. German Motto & Naval Heritage
The crest proudly displays the ship’s German-language motto: “FOLGEN SIE UNSEREN FUSSPUREN!” — translating to “Follow in our footsteps!” . This phrase was adopted from a quote by Francis Daniel Pastorius, the German scholar and original settler of the Germantown community. The motto illustrates the prosperity and success Pastorius found so characteristic of Germantown, and the ship USS Germantown takes pride in sustaining a high degree of professionalism while challenging all to “follow in our footsteps” .
The coin’s reverse features two soldiers — one from America’s past and one modern — with the powerful words “One Team! One Mission! One Fight!” , celebrating the inseparable Navy-Marine Corps partnership that defines amphibious warfare
Core Value for Customers
1. For USS Germantown Crew Members & Plankowners
A cherished symbol of shipboard pride and service aboard one of the Navy’s most capable amphibious warships. As the second Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship and the first to serve in the Pacific, Germantown has a unique operational history — from Desert Storm to forward deployment in Japan . For original plankowners who commissioned on February 8, 1986, and for every sailor who served since, this coin serves as a tangible connection to their ship, their shipmates, and their mission .
2. For Navy-Marine Corps Team & Amphibious Warfare Veterans
The coin honors the critical partnership that makes LSD-42 a lethal and effective instrument of national power. Designed specifically to operate with Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) vessels, Germantown has the largest capacity for these landing craft of any U.S. Navy amphibious platform — carrying up to four LCACs that can travel at speeds of 40 knots . For Marines who launched from her decks or sailors who operated her well deck, this coin represents the shared fight and the phrase “One Team! One Mission! One Fight!” .
3. For Navy Commands & Procurement Officers
A meaningful, cost-effective recognition tool for GPC procurement by Navy commands, amphibious squadron leadership, and ship’s supply centers. The coin is ideal for deployment commemorations, reenlistment ceremonies, change of command events, and retirement awards celebrating service aboard LSD-42. With official licensing by the Department of the Navy ensuring authenticity, the USS Germantown challenge coin offers an affordable way to provide meaningful recognition across the ship’s company.
