Unknown military token/coin

[Texas Yankee]

Went out today with car91rs for a few hrs on a patch of dirt I've been telling my buddy that i wanted to hit. saw some broken glass on the side of the road not too far from the old dump and found this nice military coin with two flags and a flying eagle on the other side. I was able to identify the flag on the left as the Royal Italian Army flag next to the American flag with the words Campo Aviatori on one side and Scvola Foggia Ovest. The other side has a flying eagle with the words, 1st Lieuted Rank Aviation Section USA. I also found some old US collar buttons, two marbles, brass buckle and a 1930 D wheat penny. Any help identifying the military coin would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Texas Yankee

 

[Subterranean]

Texas Yankee, I am no expert, but your "token" appears to have been a medallion at one time, and probably worn by 1st Lieutenant L. D. Ranck, US Army Air Corps, World War Two. Maybe worn during or after the war. There are military experts on this site that will let you know soon enough! Great finds, Sub

 

[Texas Yankee]

Thank you sir! In the process of cleaning it. Got a hit of 85-99 on the AT Gold and an 85 on the Teknetics Delta. I'll post another picture after i clean it.

 

[Subterranean]

Hey Texas Yankee, I am seeing the last name on your medallion as "Manck," not "Ranck." There are Mancks in Texas and they are listed on line. Put that with the US collar devices that you found, you may have found a spot where he (or the next of kin) dumped out Lt. Manck's military uniforms for whatever unknown reason... PS: There is a Donald Lloyd Manck , 71 years old, living in Henderson, Texas, listed on line, may be a descendant, and if research allows you to return a family artifact, you have an "Honorable Mention" in my book!
Try contacting the person at the below email to see if they are descendant and/or have history on your airman! The person having the below email is responsible for locating graves and information on Manck family members in Texas. Good Luck.

pamanck@windstream.net

Sub

 

[vpnavy]

Great finds Yankee! Thanks for sharing...

 

[DW Dirt Whisperer]

hey yankee. so after you left i found another half penny from great brittain. woohoo

 

[Texas Yankee]

Lol damn you Car91rs, that's two for you! Well, guess what... I found one this morning lol! And I cleaned up that medallion too.

 

[Mackaydon]

Campo Aviatori means Field Airman
Scvola is probably scuola, meaning school.
Foggia is a city and province in Italy
Ovest means 'west'.
I associate "Aviation Section U.S.A." with WW I
Don.......

 

[Mackaydon]

PS: There is mention of a Major E. D. Ranck in the Wichita Daily Eagle (March 11, 1918) who may be your guy.
The Wichita Daily Eagle on Newspapers.com
Don........

 

[Texas Yankee]

I tried to open it but I can't. That's awesome if it is. I would love to return it to the family.

 

[Texas Yankee]

That make's three dog tags that I've found with one of them being Navy.

 

[Mackaydon]

He's where his name is mentioned, specifically:
The Wichita Daily Eagle › 1918 › March › 11 1918 › Page 2
It may not be 'your' guy, but it would be quit a coincidence if it isn't.
Don.....
Here's the link again: http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/63982546/

 

[Texas Kid]

Outstanding finds! I'm excited to follow this thread to understand the connection of the two countries during WWII. My understanding was the King of Italy handed the command of the RIA to Mussolini during WWII. Can't wait to hear the rest of the story. Sure hope you find out! Please keep me in the loop if you do! I understand from my folks that Italian POWs were kept in camps all over the state of Texas during WWII.

 

[DW Dirt Whisperer]

hey man. you missed out. it wasnt an ih but it was close. 1917 wheatie. today and this bulle

t

 

[el remolino]

Way to go amigo. I bet its WWI plus or minus a few years, with all the Mexican Revolution stuff that was happening out this way back in the day. We had an aero squadron unit here in Sanderson from 1919-1922. You've been finding some great stuff up there. Thanks for sharing.