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