|
|
Audie's Stamp & the Distinguished Military Service Member's Series |
|
|
|
|
|
Audie's Stamp & the Distinguished Military Service Member's Series |
|
|
U.S. Postal Service salutes four American war heroes
| ||||||||
|
| ||||||||
The U.S. Postal Service recognized four veterans from World Wars I and II during the stamp unveiling ceremony Wednesday morning at the Pentagon's courtyard. The veterans, who will appear on the first-class stamps are Gen. John L. Hines, Sgt. Alvin C. York, Gen. Omar N. Bradley and Lt. Audie L. Murphy. "The Postal Service takes great pride honoring four courageous Americans with the issuance of these stamps," said Honorable Einar Dyhrkopp, chairman of the Postal Service Board of Governors. John L. Hines Hines fought in the Spanish American War and was part of the battle of San Juan Hill. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his bravery and leadership in combat during World War I. He later became the Army Chief of Staff in 1924. He died at the age of 100 in 1968 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Alvin C. York York, a Christian fundamentalist, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his courageous acts. during World War I. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division. In one battle with the German army, York was credited for capturing 132 German soldiers, killing 25 German soldiers and silencing 35 enemy machine guns.Allied Commander Marshal Ferdinand Foch described his courageous act as "the greatest accomplished by any soldier of all the armies of Europe." Omar N. Bradley Bradley commanded the First U.S. Army during the 1944 Allied landing in Normandy during World War II. He served as the Army Chief of Staff in 1948 and became the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1949. Audie L. Murphy Murphy was the most decorated American combat soldier in World War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for saving the soldiers in his company by single-handedly repelling a German attack. The heroism and leadership of these veterans are now valued on the postage stamps. On behalf of the U.S. Postal Service, Dyhrkopp and Secretary of the Army Honorable Louis Caldera unveiled the stamps at the ceremony. "They are the true treasures of our nation," said Caldera. to the audience. He said the four soldiers are etched in our memories on the stamps. Caldera added that the stamps also, honor the soldiers who serve in the military. For the soldiers who've fought in wars, "We (U.S. Postal Service) cannot honor everyone of them by name," said Dyhrkopp, so the stamps honor them as well. They handed out a plaque of stamps to a few relatives of the veterans. Dyhrkopp also gave Caldera a plaque of stamps. Like most military ceremonies in the Fort Myer Military Community, the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) presented the colors during the "National Anthem,' which was played by the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." The band also played the popular "Army Song' at the ceremony's close to reflect on the soldiers' values who fought in wars. After the ceremony, the Association of the United States Army sponsored the ceremony's reception that involved cake and punch which put smiles on the faces of guests and family members of stamp honorees. The stamps were also available for purchase during the reception. The stamps can be purchased at the local post office or online at www.stampsonline.com. "I know that these four men hold a special place in the hearts of many Americans," said Dyhrkopp. "It is a fitting tribute that their dedication and bravery will forever be remembered on U.S. postage stamps." 
U.S. Postal Service to dedicate distinguished Marines stamps |
|
|
Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Basilone was awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II for holding 3,000 Japanese soldiers at bay for 72 hours at Guadalcanal with only 15 men, 12 of whom died. Following this act of heroism, he was sent to the states to promote War Bonds. He later requested return to his unit to, "be with my boys." Basilone was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for destroying a Japanese gun emplacement at Iwo Jima. He was killed there during a shelling attack. Sergeant Major Daniel "Dan" Joseph Daly Daly received the Medal of Honor twice. His first was in 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, an anti-foreign government uprising in China. While enroute to Peking with other Marines, Daly single-handedly defended a position against Chinese snipers until reinforcements arrived. In 1915, he received his second when Marines were deployed to Haiti to protect American lives in the wake of an anti-government uprising. During a night reconnaissance mission 400 Haitian bandits fired on Daly and 39 other Marines from three sides. The detachment found better position and fought them off throughout the night. At daybreak, the three squads of Marines advanced and surprised the enemy, scattering them in all directions. Lieutenant General John A. Lejeune Best remembered as a wartime commander after being the first Marine General to command an Army division in combat during World War I, Lejeune is credited with saving the Marine Corps from budget cuts and consolidations following the war and establishing Marine Corps institutions and traditions. The North Carolina Marine base bears his name. Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller Nicknamed for his barrel chest, Chesty Puller was one of the most famous Marines commanders of World War II and Korea. He is the only Leatherneck to win the Navy Cross five times for heroism and gallantry in action. He also received 14 personal decorations in combat, five Navy Crosses, one Army Distinguished Service Cross plus a long list of campaign medals, unit citation ribbons and other awards. True to himself and the Corps, Chesty never was one to mince words. "We're surrounded," he said in battle. "That simplifies the problem." |
|
| Feel Free To Add This Banner With a Link To Your Web Site |
