On May 3, 2000, the USPS issued the first stamps in the Distinguished Servicemen Series.
The USPS developed these stamps to honor not just these four World War I and World War II veterans, but all soldiers. While the USPS admitted they couldn’t honor every US serviceman, these stamps were a tribute to all of them.
In speaking about the stamps, the chairman of the Postal Service Board of Governors said that “The Postal Service takes great pride honoring four courageous Americans with the issuance of these stamps… I know that these four men hold a special place in the hearts of many Americans. It is a fitting tribute that their dedication and bravery will forever be remembered on US postage stamps.”
The stamps were first made available for sale on May 3, 2000, in a special ceremony in Washington, DC. Among those present were Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera and family members of the four men featured on the stamps. Each stamp features a black and white portrait as well as the shoulder sleeve insignia of the units in which they served.
These stamps honored John L. Hines, Omar Bradley, Alvin York, and Audie Murphy. During World War I, Hines successively commanded a regiment, brigade, division, and corps in combat. Prior to Hines, the last leader to accomplish such a feat was Lt. Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, during the Civil War. Omar Bradley commanded the largest US battle force ever (1 million men). Bradley was one of the most-respected wartime commanders because of his leadership qualities and concern for the troops.
York was a World War I hero who single-handedly attacked a German machine gun emplacement. He captured 132 prisoners. Murphy was the most decorated US combat soldier of World War II. In one instance, he used a tank’s machine gun to stop an enemy attack and saved his unit and himself.
Five years later, the USPS issued the Distinguished Marines stamps on November 10, 2005. In announcing these stamps, the USPS said they were the first US stamps to depict individual Marines. The men selected were chosen because the USPS believed they “best represented the spirit and tradition of the Marine Corps.”
John A. Lejeune served with the Marines for more than 40 years and was the first Marine general to command an Army division. Lewis B. Puller earned five Navy Crosses during his career and was the most decorated man in Marine Corps history. John Basilone earned a Medal of Honor for his bravery at Guadalcanal and later died after single-handedly destroying a Japanese blockhouse on Iwo Jima. Daniel J. Daly received the Medal of Honor for his role in the Mexican-American War in 1914 and was once called the “outstanding Marine of all time.”
The third issue in the Distinguished Servicemen Series was released on February 4, 2010, at the US Navy Memorial in Washington, DC. In speaking about the stamps, the postmaster general said, “These brave individuals represent the US Navy’s proud legacy of service to this nation. Their example is an inspiration to every American.”
Admiral William Sims was noted for developing tactics that defined Navy strategy for decades, including aircraft carrier strategies years before the first carriers were even built. Arleigh Burke established US dominance on the high seas during World War II and the Korean War, earning three Navy Crosses, two Navy Distinguished Service Medals, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
John McCloy demonstrated valor during China’s Boxer Rebellion while protecting the US embassy, and during the invasion of Vera Cruz during US intervention in the Mexican Revolution. And Doris Miller earned a Navy Cross for his role in the attack on Pearl Harbor, during which he rescued wounded sailors and shot down Japanese planes.
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Another great article Mystic. Thank you for helping to honor these men to which we owe a debt of gratitude.
Great information> Keep it up.
I truly cannot leave this day in Mystic Stamp without acknowledging this article, these men and all the other brave men who have served their country. Thank you Mystic Stamp for honoring them in this special way.
Good article except for one apparent historical error. Never heard of a Mexican-American War of 1914. Maybe the author was referring to our landing at Vera Cruz which occurred in 1915. He does mention that event about another of the heroes depicted on the stamps. We also invaded northern Mexico in 1916 attempting to track down Pancho Villa after some of his troops had shot up the town of Columbus, NM.
I did a little checking and found he was in Haiti when he earned his first Medal of Honor in 1915 and his second in 1918 in WWI.
They all have great stories but read about Doris Miller for a unique story.
Yes wonderful article and full of so much information. I recall a WWII marine friend recalling “Chesty” Puller because of all his medals.
It would be tough to do stamps like this today. Not because the heroes are not there but because no one would know who they are or what they have given for their country. Great article! Great sham on us. Thank you veterans, our heroes.
Too bad SM1 Douglas A. Munro, USCG, the only Coast Guardsman to receive the Medal of Honor and the only non-Marine to have his name enshrined on the “Wall of Heros” at the National Marine Museum, was not mentioned. If not for his actions at Guadalcanal, many Marines would not have made it home.
I wish a set of four stamps had been issued for the Air Force and the Coast Guard. I’m sure both services had their share of heros. By the way I’m retired US Navy so I’m not trying to plug a
service I was in. We all like to joke about our brothers in other services but realize we all had
a job to do. I was lucky to have served with men and women from every branch.
When the FLAG ruffles, remember a veteran’s last breath. This is what keeps our country free.
Thank you to all who have served.