On December 7, 1941 and on September 11, 2001, deliberate acts of unimaginable evil were perpetrated against the United States of America. As a result of these devestating attacks, many innocent American lives were lost.

Separated by just sixty years, these two incidents shocked the nation and the world, each propelling America into a necessary war to preserve freedom and avenge injustice.

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which catapulted America into World War 2, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt inspired the nation, declaring that the American people "...would win through to absolute victory." Echoing Roosevelt's address to the nation six decades earlier, President George W. Bush assured the nation on September 11, 2001 that "America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time."

This coin pays tribute to all those who lost their lives on Decemeber 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001 and salutes the sacrifice of those who took up arms to defend their honor. Featured on the obverse is the unforgettable image of the USS Arizona (BB-39) under surprise attack from Japanese bombers. The reverse contains a rendering of the three scenes of destruction on September 11, 2001: the Pentagon, the Twin Towers, and the open field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

This coin is struck in a brass alloy and contains an antique bronze finish. Each coin comes with a detailed header card that describes the mission and history of the U.S. Department of Defense.