Finally!
It seems fitting that today, the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps, that the U.S. Postal Service released a stamp in memory of Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, of Raritan, New Jersey. Gunnery Sgt. Basilone won the Medal of Honor for his gallantry on Guadalcanal. After winning the Medal of Honor, Basilone was sent by the Marine Corps back the U.S. to promote the sale of War Bonds. The Corps had offered to make him an officer and station him in Washington D.C., but Gunnery Sgt. Basilone chose to return to action.
He was one of the many Marines who landed on Iwo Jima, where he was killed by a Japanese artillery round, but not before he took actions that won him the Navy Cross, which was awarded posthumously. He is the only man in the history of the United States awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, and the Purple Heart.
The issuance of this stamp was, in no small measure, the result of the work of many New Jersey veterans who campaigned vigorously to have Sgt. Basilone commemorated on a postage stamp.
The U.S. Postal Service also released stamps today bearing the likenesses of three other famous Marines, Daniel J. Daly, John A. Lejeune and Lewis B. “Chesty†Puller.
This is a wonderful move by the USPS. Thanks to all the vets that pushed for this.
Now how about a series of stamps with heroes from Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq??
Too many kids think Allen Iverson, Tom Cruise, and Roger Clemems are heroes. Time to start educating them.
Comment by MCPO Airdale — November 11, 2005 @ 9:43 am
Amen, Chief.
Comment by Jim - Parkway Rest Stop — November 11, 2005 @ 10:24 am
Hoo-rah!
Thanks for the post Jim. I had forgotten the Marine’s BD (can you guess that I never served!) but will pass this on to my son who is a reservist Marine and has been to Iraq.
Comment by joated — November 11, 2005 @ 7:15 pm
And yet, no Gomer Pyle.
Comment by Mr. Snitch! — November 12, 2005 @ 4:52 am
Congrats to all the Jersey veterans who worked so hard to get Gunny Basilone the honor he deserved.
More importantly, thank you Gunny Basilone for what you have given us.
Now if we can just get those jarheads to get rid of their bellboy uniforms the Marines will be a better service! 😉
USN, MM1(SS)
Comment by Randy — November 20, 2005 @ 4:55 pm
A person who has done more for this country then all the politicians signing treaties and shaking hands with our enemy
Comment by BIRDZILLA — November 20, 2005 @ 8:52 pm