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On 23 September 1979, as part of its Bicentennial Series, the U. S. Postal Service issued a 15-cent postage stamp honoring John Paul Jones. This event represents one of the many opportunities which philatelists—serious stamp collectors—have to get a glimpse of incidents and personages of U. S. sea service history.
In 1968, the historic flag series of stamps honored the earliest commissioned American naval vessels, known as “Washington’s Cruisers,” which consisted of armed merchant ships. Manned by Army volun- uniforms came into use in 1779- A sailor in the uniform of the Continental Navy of 1779, standing before the first Navy jack, is depicted on a postage stamp that was part of a multiple issue for the 200th anniversary of the U. S. military services, released in 1975. The Navy jack is featured as the main theme on another value in the historic flag series, and a marine holding a musket is shown on yet another stamp in the “birthday” series, this one depicting a fully-rigged ship in the background.
Two famous naval officers who served in the Revo-
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teers, they blockaded the British in Boston during the winter of 1775, flying a flag that pictured a pine tree and the words “An Appeal to Heaven.”
When George Washington took command of the Continental forces, the men had no uniforms; badges and colored bands were used to indicate rank. Since brown cloth was most readily available, it was the main material used for uniforms until multicolored
Stamps from the collections of Alfred J. Moses and Rear Admiral John R. Wadleigh, U. S. Navy (Retired).
lutionary War have shared the title “Father of the U. S. Navy”—John Paul Jones and John Barry- Commodore Jones was placed in charge of a small squadron in 1779 and sailed for British waters with his flagship, the USS Bonhomme Richard, with which he captured HMS Serapis. Commodore Jones and ships of the period are shown on a stamp, part of a series of five honoring the U. S. Navy, released in 19361937. This same stamp also displays Captain John Barry who, with his brig the Lexington, captured the
British tender Edward on the lower Delaware River in 1776.
The launching of the U. S. frigates Constitution, United States, and Constellation in 1797 marked the rebirth of American naval power after a period of de- cI*ne. The Constitution, popularly known as “Old Ironsides” after her victory over the British frigate Guerriere during the War of 1812, has been preserved, and the 150th anniversary of her launching was commemorated in a 1947 stamp showing a naval architect’s drawing of her. The silhouette of "Old Ironsides” also appears on a stamped, four-cent envelope first issued in 1965. The second stamp in the series honoring the U. S. Navy shows Commodore Stephen Decatur who, with his ship the United States, captured HMS Macedonian off the Canary Islands in 1812. This stamp also bears a portrait of '-ornmodore Thomas Macdonough, who commanded the USS Saratoga when she defeated a British fleet on hake Champlain in 1814. The third of these frigates, stamps. Official stamps, used between the abolishment of the franking privilege in 1873 and the advent of penalty envelopes in 1879, had identical designs except for the imprinted department name. For example, the 90-cent stamp was used by all departments and showed the same portrait of Perry. The Navy also had its “own” series of 11 stamps which ranged from 1 cent to 90 cents in denomination.
The U. S. Naval Academy, founded in 1845, was recognized philatelically in 1937 by the issuance of the only stamp in the U. S. Navy series to honor an educational institution. The stamp depicts the official seal of the Academy flanked by a naval cadet wearing a uniform dating from the Academy’s early days and a midshipman wearing a modern uniform.
Commodore Matthew C. Perry sailed for Japan in 1853 with four U. S. naval vessels, led by the sidewheel steamer Powhatan, and orders to seek the opening of Japan to foreign commerce. He submitted a draft of a treaty that resulted in the conclusion of
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Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s words at the ^•ctorious conclusion of the Battle of Lake Erie— We have met the enemy and they are ours”— fought him fame among the populace. His portrait graces a 90-cent stamp first issued in 1890, as well ‘ls a similar $1.00 stamp from 1894 and stamped ^O-cent envelopes from 1870 to 1886. Perry is also Portrayed on the 90-cent value of the 1873 “official” an agreement between the nations the following year. A view of the squadron anchored off Tokyo Bay, along with a portrait of Commodore Perry, were offered on a 1953 stamp commemorating the centenary of the negotiations.
The outbreak of the Civil War led President Abraham Lincoln to order the blockade of the entire Confederate coast by the U. S. Navy to prevent the importation of weapons and supplies from Europe. Lacking naval power, the Confederacy had to embark
on a rapid construction effort, and the first American ironclad, the armored ram CSS Manassas, was built in 1861, followed by the CSS Virginia (ex-USS Merrimack). The success of the Virginia led to the U. S. Navy’s acceptance of a proposal by John Ericsson to design and build an armored turret ship, the USS Monitor. Ericsson, a native of Sweden, was honored in 1926 by a statue unveiled in Washington, D.C. by the crown prince of Sweden; this statue is shown on a stamp issued that same year.
Admiral David Glasgow Farragut’s large squadron, with the wooden steam sloop Hartford as flagship, penetrated the Mississippi River to reach New Orleans and obtain the city’s surrender in 1862. The admiral and a naval vessel of his time are shown on a stamp in the U. S. Navy history series, a stamp that also features Commander David D. Porter. Admiral Farragut’s portrait also appears on the $1.00 stamp first issued in 1903.
possible to transfer ships rapidly between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Canal Zone Government was established as an independent agency of the U. S. Government, with its own postal service. A view of the collier Nereus in the Pedro Miguel Locks of the Canal was offered on a 1920 Republic of Panama stamp, overprinted “Canal Zone.” The USS Houston is shown moving through the cut at Bas Obispo, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Canal. Rear Admiral Harry Harwood Rousseau, the only Navy member on the Isthmian Canal Commission, established in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt, was honored by inclusion in the Canal Zone’s definitive stamp issue of 1928-40.
World War I imposed on the United States the problem of transporting two million troops to the battlefields of France. Many troops traveled on interned German passenger liners, drafted into the Navy. For example, the German liner SS Kronprinz
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The Spanish-American War involved the Navy in far-flung operations in which William T. Sampson, George Dewey, and Winfield S. Schley provided leadership. These flag officers are shown together in a 1937 stamp in the Navy history series.
Naval aviation began in 1911 with the acquisition of a Curtis A-l biplane. A stamp commemorating the 50th anniversary of U. S. naval aviation shows this aircraft.
The opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 made it
Wilhelm, shown on a U. S. parcel post stamp, served as a German auxiliary cruiser at the beginning of the war, was interned in Newport News, Virginia, then served as the U. S. troop transport Von Steuben. A “Victory Issue” stamp showing the flags of the Allies celebrated the conclusion of World War I.
World War II broke out in 1939, and the United States became officially involved in 1941. The Marine Corps played a major role in the Pacific theater, and the famous flag-raising by marines on
Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, 1945 was reproduced on a stamp, giving silent tribute to their heroism. Marines marched to the tune of “Semper Fidelis,” composed by John Philip Sousa, former leader of the Marine Corps Band and organizer of other military marching bands. Sousa was honored in the 1940 famous American composers” set. In 1945, stamps were issued to commemorate the World War II achievements of the Navy, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine, as well as women in the service.
The importance of reservists to the armed forces has been recognized by several stamp issues; Marine, Coast Guard, Army, and Air Force reservists are shown on a single stamp of 1955. A marine from 1775, a World War I “devil dog,” a World War II fher, a frogman, and a 1966 combat marine are featured on a stamp celebrating the 50th anniversary of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1966. The 25th birthday of the Woman Marines was marked by the were commemorated by a stamp in 1959, the 50th anniversary of Peary’s feat. Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd’s second antarctic expedition was the theme of a 1933 stamp. The role of the Marine Corps and Navy in the conquest of space is illustrated by a stamp showing Project Mercury and commemorating Marine Lieutenant Colonel John H. Glenn, Jr.’s First orbital flight in 1962, and also by the Apollo 8 stamp showing the lunar orbital voyage in which Captain James Lovell participated.
Other nations have also honored the U. S. Navy by the issuance of postal stamps, ranging from an Irish issue showing Captain John Barry to a Turkish stamp depicting the USS Missouri (BB-63). The U. S. Postal Service plans to continue its commemoration of U. S. military history and personnel as well. Next month, philatelists will be able to add to their collections a new stamp honoring American veterans of the Vietnam War.
lssuance of a postal card in 1968. The former German sailing vessel Horst Wessel, now serving as train- ship for the Coast Guard Academy as the train- lng cutter Eagle (WIX-326), is depicted on a recent M-cent postal card.
Navy and Marine Corps personnel have been active ln exploring land, sea, and space. Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary’s conquest of the Arctic in 1909 and ^e undersea North Pole voyage of the nuclear- powered submarine USS Nautilus (SSN-571) in 1958