What:

Honoring Extraordinary Heroism, The Service Cross Medals stamp series will be unveiled in a public ceremony.

Who:

Winchendon Postmaster Gabriele McCarthy and Gardner Postmaster Pam Boudreau

When:

June 23, 2016 at 10:30 a.m.

Where:

Winchendon Post Office, 160 Central St. Winchendon, MA 01475

Photo Op:

Several local veterans groups have been invited to participate in the ceremony.

Background:

On Monday, May 30, the national day of remembrance for those who died while serving their nation, the U.S. Postal Service first unveiled this series dedicated to military service members who have been awarded one of the four Service Cross Medals — the Army Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, which includes the Marine Corps, the Air Force Cross and the Coast Guard Cross.

Many recipients of these awards died or were severely wounded as a result of the valorous actions for which they were honored, while a number of others died in subsequent battles before receiving the award for their earlier actions. Many recipients rescued wounded service members or drew enemy fire to buy time for others to regroup or be rescued. Some continued fighting despite their own wounds. According to official accounts, all braved enemy fire, made bold decisions and took selfless actions to rescue or protect their fellow service members. These medals pay homage to such valorous actions and dedication to duty.

The Distinguished Service Cross was the first of these decorations to be established, in 1918, followed the next year by the Navy Cross. The Air Force Cross was instituted in 1960, following the creation of the Air Force as a separate military service independent from the Army. The Coast Guard Cross was only recently instituted, in 2010, to recognize its members for qualifying actions taken when not operating under the Department of the Navy or during military operations against international terrorists. This decoration is yet to be awarded.

The Service Cross Medals are the second highest military decoration for valor in combat, after the Medal of Honor. In the official language authorized by congressional legislation, the Service Cross Medals are given for extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor while:

• engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
• engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
• serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

The Postal Service previously issued Medal of Honor Forever Stamps honoring recipients who served in World War II, the Korean Warand the Vietnam War.

Art director Greg Breeding of Charlottesville, VA, designed the stamps and stamp sheet, working with photographs of the medals by Richard Frasier of Vienna, VA. The photographs were taken on location at The Institute of Heraldry, Department of the Army, which provided the actual decorations used in these images. 

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.