Little Rock Central High School Desegregation 2007 Silver Dollar
Designers: Richard Masters and Charles Vickers( obverse); Don Everhart( reverse)
In 1957, nine Black students desegregated Little Rock Central High School, under the protection of federal troops ordered by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, marking a significant event in the struggle for civil rights. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. attended the graduation ceremony of the first Black student to graduate from Little Rock Central High School, Ernest Green.
Tuskegee Airmen 2007 Bronze Medal
Designers: Phebe Hemphill( obverse) and Don Everhart( reverse)
The Tuskegee Airmen, comprising nearly 1,000 Black aviators trained at Moton Field at the Tuskegee Army Air Field, formed the 332nd Fighter Group and 477th Bombardment Group, which were segregated units of the US Army Air Corps during World War II. Tuskegee Airmen completed approximately 1,500 missions, destroying more than 260 enemy aircraft and numerous enemy installations. The success of the Airmen, particularly as bomber escorts, paved the way in 1948 for President Harry Truman to declare through Executive Order 9981“ that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin.” This action led to the desegregation of all branches of the military.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King 2013 Bronze Medal
Designers: Don Everhart( obverse) and Donna Weaver( reverse)
The legislation for this medal states,“ Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his widow Coretta Scott King, as the first family of the Civil Rights Movement, have distinguished records of public service to the American people and the international community … Dr. King preached a doctrine of nonviolent civil disobedience to combat segregation, discrimination and racial injustice … While raising four children, Mrs. King devoted herself to working alongside her husband for nonviolent social change and full civil rights for African Americans.”
President Barack Obama 2017 First Term Presidential Bronze Medal
Designers: Richard Masters and Phebe Hemphill( obverse); Don Everhart( reverse)
On his last day in office, President Barack Obama, the first Black President of the United States, was awarded two Presidential bronze medals to represent each term he served. Presidential medals are presented to honor past Presidents, a custom that has been extended by law to each outgoing President. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew remarked during a presentation ceremony in the Oval Office,“ His historic presidency has improved the lives of millions of Americans, and the medals presented today are just one way that his legacy will be honored.”
www. MoAF. org | Winter 2017 | FINANCIAL HISTORY 23