The U.S. Postal Service has issued 44-cent Distinguished Sailors commemorative stamps in four designs in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps. The stamps, designed by Phil Jordan of Falls Church, VA, are on sale nationwide. 25 million stamps have been printed.
The four stamps commemorate four sailors who served with bravery and distinction during the 20th Century: William S. Sims, Arleigh A. Burke, John McCloy, and Doris Miller. The stamp pane identifies the four sailors, the approximate date of each photograph, and a ship named in honor of each sailor. With the issuance of the Distinguished Sailors stamps, the U.S. Postal Service honors a tradition of excellence in the U.S. Navy that began with the authorization for two warships by the Continental Congress on October 13, 1775.
William S. Sims. Commander of U.S. naval forces in European waters during World War I (1858-1936), he was an outspoken reformer and innovator who helped shape the Navy into a modern fighting force. This stamp features a detail from a photograph of Sims in 1919. Beside the photograph is a depiction of the crest of the destroyer escort USS W.S. Sims (DE-1059), which was commissioned in 1970.
Arleigh A. Burke. After serving as one of the top destroyer squadron commanders of World War II, Burke (1901-1996) had an equally distinguished postwar career in which he played a major role in modernizing the Navy and guiding its response to the Cold War. When he died in 1996, he was hailed as a “sailor’s sailor,” who defined what it meant to be a naval officer: “relentless in combat, resourceful in command, and revered by his crews.” This stamp features a detail from a photograph of Burke (1951). Beside the photograph is a depiction of the crest of the guided missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), which was commissioned in 1991.
John McCloy. Described by a shipmate as “like a bull” who couldn’t be stopped, McCloy (1876-1945) has the distinction of being one of the few men in the nation’s history to earn two Medals of Honor for separate acts of heroism. He retired from active duty in 1928 after a thirty-year career in the Navy. In 1963, the Navy commissioned a destroyer escort, USS McCloy (DE-1038), which was named in his honor. This stamp features a detail from a photograph of McCloy (circa 1920). Beside the photograph is a depiction of the crest of the destroyer escort named in his honor.
Doris Miller. The first African American hero of World War II, Doris Miller (1919-1943) became an inspiration to generations of Americans for his actions at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He is singularly remembered for providing inspiration to a campaign for equal recognition and opportunity for Blacks in the military. This stamp features a detail from a photograph of him (1942). Beside the photograph is a depiction of the crest of the destroyer escort USS Miller (DE-1091), which was commissioned in 1973.
Customers have 90 days from the official first day of issuance date to obtain first day of sale postmarks on new stamps and stationery items. Collectors may request a local first day of sale postmark by mail only. There is no charge for servicing of first day of sale postmarks up to 50 covers. Mail-in customers must supply a self-addressed envelope with sufficient return postage applied to return the serviced covers.
To obtain the first day of sale postmark, mail stationery items bearing Distinguished Sailors stamps to: Customer Relations USPS, 79 Mid Cape Terr Ste 8, Cape Coral, FL 33991. Please specify which city you are requesting a postmark for—Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples or Sanibel, Florida. All orders must be postmarked by May 6, 2010.
For more information about purchasing stamps, stamps by mail, postal regulations, a free subscription to USA Philatelic magazine, Post Office events, the location of the nearest postal store or contract unit, or for answers to your specific Postal Service questions, contact USPS at 1-800-275-8777, or visit www.usps.com. For detailed information on selection criteria for stamps visit http://www.usps.com/communications/organization/csac.htm To schedule a presentation for your community, club or group on how the Postal Service brings the Post Office to your home or office computer, call 239-573-9638.
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