About us
John learned his first rule of boating early, “Stay with the
ship”. Capt. John’s passion and respect for the water grew. After losing
his father to the Great Lakes he realized that holding his 100 ton
Master was not enough. He wanted to share and educate others while
learning along the way.
Capt. John also received a grass roots
applause from Boat US after funding and creating a nonprofit educational
on the water training program for recreational boaters. He supported
companies like Cummins Marine to educate staff on their corporate test
boats, along with assisting several Marine Patrol Agencies, and pleasure
boaters.
As a Coast Guard licensed instructor for nine years,
Capt. John has helped thousands of boaters to reach the level of
Captain. Ask any student that has participated in his class and they
will tell you that the lessons learned go far beyond the Coast Guard
Requirements.
Through Sculley Society you can further your maritime training needs, find useful resources for industry updates, pleasure boating, or just follow the current scuttle butt of the boating brethren. Plus much more to come.
The Significance of Scully Society Challenge Coins
Contribution by: Cpl. Wil Acosta, Marine Corps News 3/5/05
Throughout the Maritime Societies, one can find medal artifacts displayed proudly by Captains at their desks and in their offices, and most importantly in the pocket. Some are simple and colorless. Others are ornate, filled with intricate designs and etchings. All of them have a story behind them.
The following story, which dates the history of military coin back to the 1st World War, has been honored and passed on throughout the elite brethren of those who possess one.
During World War I, American volunteers from all parts of the country filled the newly formed flying squadrons. Some were wealthy young men who left colleges such as Harvard in order to enlist in the military.
In one squadron, a wealthy lieutenant ordered solid bronze medallions embossed with the squadron emblem for every member of his squadron. He carried his medallion in a small leather sack about his neck.
Shortly after acquiring the medallions, the lieutenant's aircraft was severely damaged by ground fire during a mission. He was forced to land behind enemy lines where he was captured by a German patrol.
In order to discourage his escape, the Germans took all of his personal identification except for the small leather pouch around his neck.
He was eventually taken to a small French town near the front lines where he managed to escape during a night bombardment. During the attack, he donned civilian clothes and fled without personal identification.
After escaping, the brave sole succeeded in avoiding German patrols until he reached the front lines. With great difficulty, he crossed no-man's land and stumbled into a French outpost.
Unfortunately, the French in this sector had been plagued by German saboteurs, who sometimes masqueraded as civilians and wore civilian clothes. Not recognizing the young pilot's American accent, the French thought him to be a saboteur and made ready to execute him.
Just in time, the American remembered his leather pouch containing the bronze medallion. He showed the medallion to his would-be executioners. When the French captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion, they gave the pilot enough time to confirm his identity. Instead of shooting him, they gave him a bottle of wine.
Eventually the pilot made it back to his squadron, where it became a tradition to ensure all members carried their medallion or coin at all times.
This was accomplished through a challenge. A service member would ask to see the coin. If the challenger could not produce his coin, he was required to purchase a drink of choice for the member who had challenged him.
If the challenged member produced his coin, then the challenging member was required to pay for the drink.
This tradition continued through the war and for many years after while surviving members of the squadron were still alive.
Today, members often trade these coins while associated with a brethren. In some cases a coin can be earned meritoriously for a job well done. Regardless of how they are acquired the history of the challenge coin remains a part of tradition.
Captain John will continue to seek out those members who possess a Scully Society coin that dare to violate the tradition of keeping it with them at all times. Actually, I think he is just looking for a free drink!
