Navy

2014 $19.99 USS Arizona Memorial, Express Mail
May 30, 1962

Opening of the USS Arizona Memorial

On May 30, 1962, the USS Arizona Memorial was officially opened to the public. A tribute to those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor, it’s visited by two million people per year and is a National Historic Landmark.

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1995 32¢ World War II: Okinawa, the Last Big Battle
April 1, 1945

Battle of Okinawa 

On April 1, 1945, the Battle of Okinawa began. Lasting nearly three months, it was the last major battle of the war and the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific.

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1937 2¢ Decatur & MacDonough
February 16, 1804

The Burning of the USS Philadelphia

On February 16, 1804, Stephen Decatur led a surprise assault on the captured USS Philadelphia in Tripoli. Part of the First Barbary War, the assault was intended to keep the Tripolitans from salvaging the damaged ship for their own use.

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1937 4¢ Army and Navy: Sampson, Dewey and Schley
February 9, 1840

Birth of Admiral William T. Sampson

US Navy Rear Admiral William T. Sampson was born on February 9, 1840, in Palmyra, New York.  He’s best known for his victory in the Spanish-American War Battle of Santiago de Cuba.

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1948 3¢ Four Chaplains
February 3, 1943

Sinking of the SS Dorchester

On February 3, 1943, after the SS Dorchester was sunk, the Four Chaplains sacrificed their lives to protect the other men on their boat.  The sinking is considered the second-worst sea disaster of World War II.

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https://www.mysticstamp.com/pictures/stamps_default/USA-1128.jpg
January 21, 1954

U.S. Launches First Nuclear Submarine

On January 21, 1954, the USS Nautilus, the world’s first operational nuclear-powered submarine, was launched. It would quickly break all speed and distance records and mark the start of a new age of underwater travel.

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2010 44¢ Distinguished Sailors: John McCloy
January 3, 1876

Birth of John McCloy

US Navy Lieutenant Commander John McCloy was born on January 3, 1876, in Brewster, New York.  Serving with the Navy for 30 years, he’s one of just 19 servicemen to receive two Medals of Honor.

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1922 5¢ Theodore Roosevelt, dark blue
December 16, 1907

Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet 

On December 16, 1907, Theodore Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet departed the United States for a 434-day journey around the globe to demonstrate America’s sea power.

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2001 34¢ Honoring Veterans
November 11, 1954

Veterans Day

On November 11, 1954, America first observed Veterans Day, previously known as Armistice Day.  Initially a day set aside to honor the veterans of World War I, it was expanded in 1954 to pay tribute to all veterans.   

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