101st Airborne Rakkasan War Eagle Volksmarch Medal 3rd Brigade IVV Korea 1981
⭐ KEY FEATURES
• Vintage 1981 War Eagle Volksmarch commemorative medal honoring the 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Rakkasans)
• Features the iconic 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagle”, 187th Infantry Regiment distinctive unit insignia, and 21st Engineer Battalion distinctive unit insignia
• Approximately 2-inch gold-tone and enamel military commemorative medal with original integral suspension loop
📌 DESCRIPTION
Commemorating the 1981 War Eagle Volksmarch, this vintage military medal celebrates the 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, better known as the legendary Rakkasans, during the brigade’s presence in South Korea. Volksmarch events encouraged physical fitness, camaraderie, and esprit de corps, making commemorative medals like this lasting reminders of military tradition, unit history, and overseas service.
The obverse prominently displays the iconic Screaming Eagle shoulder sleeve insignia of the 101st Airborne Division above a large numeral 3, representing the 3rd Brigade. Flanking the center are the distinctive unit insignia of the 187th Infantry Regiment, featuring the golden torii gates beneath parachutes, symbolizing the regiment’s airborne heritage and long history of service in Asia. At the bottom is the distinctive unit insignia of the 21st Engineer Battalion, representing the brigade’s combat engineer support.
Encircling the design, the inscription “WAR EAGLE VOLKSMARCH 1981 IVV” identifies the event and its affiliation with the International Federation of Popular Sports (IVV). The lower inscription, “THE ROCK-ROCK FORCE - RAKKASAN,” reflects the brigade’s historic identity and commemorates its presence in South Korea during this period.
Unlike a traditional challenge coin, this is a commemorative Volksmarch medal with an integral suspension loop, making it an interesting crossover collectible for military challenge coin collectors, 101st Airborne enthusiasts, Rakkasan collectors, Cold War historians, and those specializing in military event memorabilia.
Military Volksmarch medals from the Cold War era are encountered far less frequently than modern military challenge coins, making surviving examples desirable additions to specialized collections focused on the 101st Airborne Division, Rakkasans, or U.S. Army history in Korea.
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📏 MEDAL DETAILS & DISPLAY
• Obverse: 101st Airborne Division insignia, 3rd Brigade identifier, 187th Infantry Regiment insignia, and 21st Engineer Battalion insignia
• Reverse: Blank textured reverse
• Finish: Gold-tone with multi-color enamel
• Diameter: Approximately 2 inches (please see photos for verification)
• Construction: Solid metal commemorative medal with integral suspension loop
• Popular with collectors of: 101st Airborne Division, Rakkasans, Cold War military memorabilia, Korea service memorabilia, and military Volksmarch medals
• Display Options: Shadow boxes, military medal displays, challenge coin racks, offices, military collections, or historical displays
🧭 CONDITION & PHOTO NOTES
This vintage 1981 medal presents very well with crisp raised details, vibrant enamel colors, sharp lettering, and attractive overall eye appeal. The gold-tone finish shows honest age, light finish variation, and scattered handling and storage marks consistent with careful collector ownership over the years. The original suspension loop remains intact, and the medal retains an excellent display presence.
The blank textured reverse exhibits expected surface character from age, storage, and prior handling without detracting from the overall presentation. These honest signs of age are typical of a vintage military commemorative medal and contribute to its authentic period character rather than detract from it.
As with most pre-owned collectible military medals, light evidence of handling, display, storage, or age may be present. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description and show the exact medal you will receive.
📸 Photos are taken under high-intensity lighting to highlight fine details, sculpting, enamel, and finish. This lighting may reveal minor surface characteristics that are often less noticeable under normal display conditions.
🪙 This listing is for one (1) medal only.
❗ Display stands, rulers, calipers, coin holders, and any other photo props shown are for presentation and measurement purposes only and are not included with the purchase.
💥 WHY THIS MEDAL STANDS OUT
• Commemorates the 1981 War Eagle Volksmarch held in South Korea
• Honors the legendary 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Rakkasans)
• Features multiple historically significant unit insignia, including the 101st Airborne Division, 187th Infantry Regiment, and 21st Engineer Battalion
• Distinctive Cold War-era military Volksmarch medal with an approximate 2-inch display format and original integral suspension loop
• An uncommon piece of military memorabilia that bridges the worlds of Volksmarch medals and military challenge coin collecting
• An excellent addition for collectors of the 101st Airborne Division, Rakkasans, Cold War U.S. Army, and Korea-based military memorabilia
Once it’s gone, it’s gone!
🚚 SHIPPING & HANDLING
📬 Ships FAST, typically within 24 hours (excluding Sundays and postal holidays).
👍🏻 USPS Ground Advantage tracking is included with every order.
📦 Every medal is carefully packaged using protective materials to help ensure it arrives safely and ready for display.
🌍 INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
We proudly ship to all 50 U.S. states and PO Boxes.
We also offer worldwide shipping through International Shipping (EIS).
International orders outside the United States are securely forwarded through ’s International Shipping Hub, providing tracking and added protection throughout the shipping process.
🔄 COMBINED SHIPPING
We happily offer combined shipping on similar collectibles.
😃 Pay only $0.50 shipping for each additional eligible medal or challenge coin added to your order.
✅ Your combined shipping discount is automatically applied at checkout.
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Inventory Code: D9-3R
