1945 Navy Stamp

Hi all

My grandfather and his brother were both in the Navy, but his brother was in the right place at the right time for this one. He was part of the group pictured on the 1945 U.S. Navy stamp.

This was all my Grandpa had regarding it.. a copy of a copy sent to him by his brother's family. The large picture is actually a different picture taken at the same time - I guess the photographer chose a slightly different one. The small one on the bottom right is a copy of the proof they used to print, and of course the one on the bottom left is a canceled one:



He's never been able to find one. I looked everywhere, and finally located one last November included with a "WWII Stamp and Coin Collection". I ordered it right away, but it only just arrived. Late Christmas present I suppose. Anyway, here is the new arrival:



It's barely attached in the middle of the stamp between it and the cardboard, so I'm going to just send him the stamp (I get to keep the wheats ). I wish I could see his face when he gets it!

Just wanted to share the excitement!

Interesting story. I must have hundreds of these and they are among my favorite stamp. It is cool to hear the story behind the stamp.

That's a great story xshift and wonderful pictures to go with it. When you get your time in and posts in email me I'm sure I have some spares of that stamp somewhere. I'll send you another one.

Dianne

X-shift:

Now that is neat! I am sure you will make a special page in your United States album for that stamp, eh? Which man is your Great Uncle? Is he still alive?

Cheers!

David

Very good story. Things such as this actually happen.
Do you know which one of the sailors in the stamp is
your grandfather's brother? (I guess that would make
him your great uncle.)

The photos are very similar. The major difference I
see is that the sailor on the lower left (his half
head) is not on the stamp.

I think he is the one in the lower right, above where it says U.S. Navy, and no, unfortunately, he is no longer with us.

Thanks for all the comments.. and Dianne, I may just take you up on that, thank you.

modern_who: Their expressions are slightly different, too. Not much.. I'm sure the photographer was snapping as fast as his camera could go, to get the best possible shot, so there were probably quite a few taken.

Very cool! My Dad and Grandfather were both in the Navy during WW Twice and I joined during Vietnam. I retired from the Navy in 1992.

to the site!

Hello xshift....

Welcome to the club.......and nice pictures and info.

Thanks for the welcome . I was in as well, and so was my great aunt. Seems to be a family tradition

xshift
Great story you have to go with your sailors stamp.

If you need any more of them in mint condition, let me know, as I know I have some around here.

We to are a three generation Navy family, my dad was a Seabee in WWII, myself a Korean era vet, and two of our sons served in the Navy, in fact number two son made a career of it and retired in 2005 after twenty eight years of service.

thanks for sharing this with us xshift!

Thanks for the offer, Sneeky And 28 years.. wow! He must have really enjoyed it. My grandpa was in 20, then civil service for another 20.. same benefits, better pay. I'm trying to convince the kids to follow in the family footsteps.. I may not be doing my attempt any favors by hollering "Hit the deck, sailor!" every morning!

Coool stuff there, xshift. Retired USN here also. 1960 - 1980. Never regretted it. Intended a naval career when I enlisted and never looked back. Also, however, I have never really missed it. Some may believe me certifiable but the only thing I miss was the shipboard life. I have often said that but for a wife and family I would have joined the Maritime Serrvice after retirement.

Ahoy, Sneeky!!

Nice to see you here. I'm working on another British Commonwealth packet for you.

David

HI, I just saw this post on Feb 18, 2011. My DAD was also pictured on this stamp... He is in the upper right corner with his head cocked to his right...I have a first-day-cover (postcard) that he signed for me about 1990 or so. My family has all the news paper articles issued about him being on the stamp. The photo was probably done by a postal or naval photographer. My dad had told me years ago about being stationed in Washington DC a couple of times and noted that every now and then someone would gather up a bunch of sailors to take pictures and they never were told what they were for. He said it was usually a very casual time, and isn't it funny that's exactly the way they appear in the photo, casual! Anyhow he also knew at least two other guys in the photo, but could only remember one was from Boston MA. My dad passed away in 2007 and is remembered in San Augustine TX. He is a plank owner of two ships, a Destroyer Escort DE-197, USS ROCHE, commissioned 21 February 1944. And the heavy cruiser USS OREGON CITY-CA122, commissioned 16 FEB 1946. He was an antiaircraft gunner on both ships, and told a funny story of having to drive the Oregon City (man the wheel) because of the first crew being entirely green and suffering from seasickness. The captain asked for anyone who was not ailing to come to the bridge to drive the ship. POP was a seasoned merchant marine and Navy sailor. His name is Johnny M. Wood of San Augustine Texas.