New Stamps Celebrate the 230th Anniversary of the US Marine Corps
Stamp collectors in the United States were eager to buy first-day covers of the November release of new 37-cent stamps celebrating a milestone in the history of the U.S. Marine Corps. The stamps are emblazoned with likenesses of four heroic Marines-John Basilone, Daniel "Dan" Joseph Daly, John A. Lejeune and Lewis "Chesty" Puller.
Iwo Jima and Normandy may be two of the most historic destinations the U.S. Marine Corps have ever seen, and the sandy hills of Iraq are their latest challenge. Now people all over the country will soon see marines showing up at their homes. But unlike the marines currently serving in Iraq, these little soldiers are only one inch tall.
The United States Postal service recently released a series of U.S. stamps called "Distinguished Marines" to commemorate the 230th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps. Familiar faces from wars past will adorn the stamps, which feature four of the Corps' most memorable personalities: Lt. Gen. John A. Lejeune, Sgt. Maj. Daniel Daly, Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, and Lt. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller.
Lejeune, considered "the greatest leatherneck of all time," was the Corps' 13th commandant. The former marine had a marine base, Camp Lejeune, named in his honor. Camp Lejeune is located in North Carolina.
Daly, while earning distinction beyond par on the battlefield, is probably best remembered for coining the battle cry, "Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?" He holds the distinction as being one of only two marines ever to receive the Medal of Honor twice. His first medal was awarded when he fought as a one-man force defending a position during the Boxer Rebellion. He later earned a second Medal of Honor while fighting staggering opposition during a deployment in Haiti.
Basilone served with the 1st Marine Division at Guadalcanal during World War II and is the only enlisted marine to have won all three of the most distinguished military medals-the Navy Cross, the Medal of Honor, and the Purple Heart. Puller is a five-time recipient of the Navy Cross during his combat tours all over the globe.
To celebrate the release of the stamps and honor the marines they commemorate, a celebration was held at the 8th and I Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C., on November 10. In attendance at the celebration were U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael W. Hagee, Postmaster General John E. Potter, and country music recording artist Aaron Tippin. Additional celebrations were held at Camp Pendleton.
More than 50,000 ideas are submitted for commemorative stamps each year. Of these, only 30 are chosen to undergo a selection process. The stamp advisory committee, comprised 15 individuals who are experts in various fields, chooses the stamp concepts that will be printed in the coming year. Each of the concepts is then analyzed to determine the best possible interpretation of the selected idea. The Postmaster General has final authority over whether a particular stamp concept is developed into a design that will grace envelopes for a few years and then become valued additions to stamp collections for future generations to enjoy.
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