coins, they instituted the "challenge". A challenger would ask to see your coin. If you couldn't produce your coin, you were required to buy a drink, of their choice, but if you produced your coin, the challenging member was required to pay for both your drinks.
 In World War II, the USAAF Air Transport Command crews created "short-snorters", strips of bank notes from each country the crews visited. The C-47 was the work horse of World War II and made continuous trips within a circuit of an area of operation. The custom of the short-snorter evolved to include notes autographed by buddies, fair ladies and local contacts. Over the course of the war, they became a symbol of one’s longevity and expertise. If you encountered someone who you didn't believe was all he made himself out to be, you would challenge that person to "put up or shut up." If they couldn't produce their short-snorter, they bought a round or a "snort".
According to Don Phillips, a former commander of the 20th SFG, World War II soldiers were given a coin when they mustered out of the service.
|
