World War II

1917 25¢ War Savings stamp, deep green, unwatermarked
December 1, 1917

War Savings Stamps Issued to Fund WWI

On December 1, 1917, first War Savings Stamp available for immediate use, WS1, was issued. In less than two years, more than $1.1 billion in stamps was sold.

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1954 10¢ Savings Stamps - no watermark, rose red
November 30, 1954

First U.S. Savings Stamp 

On November 30, 1954, the Post Office Department issued its first Savings Stamp, #S1. The savings stamps program was created to encourage savings and thrift among American schoolchildren.

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1971 8¢ CARE
November 27, 1945

Founding of CARE 

On November 27, 1945, Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe (CARE) was formed. Initially established to aid Europeans in the wake of WWII, it’s still in operation today, helping over 250 million people.

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1982 20¢ Dr. Mary Walker
November 26, 1832

Birth of Mary Walker 

Civil War surgeon Mary Edwards Walker was born on November 26, 1832, in Oswego, New York, about 40 miles from Mystic’s home in Camden. She was the Army’s first female surgeon and earned the Medal of Honor for her work during the Civil War.

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1935 25¢ China Clipper
November 22, 1935

China Clipper Inaugurates Trans-Pacific Airmail

On November 22, 1935, the China Clipper made its first airmail voyage across the Pacific Ocean. The first-ever transpacific airmail journey, it carried over 110,000 pieces of mail.

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1953 3¢ General George S. Patton Jr.
November 11, 1885

Birth of General George Patton

George Smith Patton Jr. was born on November 11, 1885, in San Gabriel, California. Nicknamed, “Old Blood and Guts,” he led US troops to several important WWII victories.

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1945 3¢ US Armed Forces: Iwo Jima
November 10, 1954

Opening of USMC War Memorial

On November 10, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower presided over the dedication and official opening of the United States Marine Corps War Memorial, also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial.

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2005 37¢ Distinguished Marines: John Basilone
November 4, 1916

Happy Birthday John Basilone

Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone was born on November 4, 1916, in Buffalo, New York. Basilone earned the Medal of Honor for his heroics at Guadalcanal and a Navy Cross for actions at Iwo Jima.

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1988 25¢ Antarctic Explorers: Richard E. Byrd
October 25, 1888

Birth of Richard Byrd

Richard Evelyn Byrd was born on October 25, 1888, in Winchester, Virginia. Byrd led three Antarctic expeditions and was the US Navy’s youngest admiral at the time.

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