# 3393/4443 - 2000-10 Distinguished Servicemen
Distinguished Servicemen Series
The USPS developed these stamps to honor not just these four World War I and World War II veterans, but all soldiers. While the USPS admitted they couldn’t honor every US serviceman, these stamps were a tribute to all of them.
In speaking about the stamps, the chairman of the Postal Service Board of Governors said that “The Postal Service takes great pride honoring four courageous Americans with the issuance of these stamps… I know that these four men hold a special place in the hearts of many Americans. It is a fitting tribute that their dedication and bravery will forever be remembered on US postage stamps.”
These stamps honored John L. Hines, Omar Bradley, Alvin York, and Audie Murphy. During World War I, Hines successively commanded a regiment, brigade, division, and corps in combat. Prior to Hines, the last leader to accomplish such a feat was Lt. Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, during the Civil War. Omar commanded the largest US battle force ever (1 million men). Bradley was one of the most-respected wartime commanders because of his leadership qualities and concern for the troops.
York was a World War I hero who single-handedly attacked a German machine gun emplacement. He captured 132 prisoners. Murphy was the most decorated US combat soldier of World War II. In one instance, he used a tank’s machine gun to stop an enemy attack and saved his unit and himself.
Admiral William Sims was noted for developing tactics that defined Navy strategy for decades, including aircraft carrier strategies years before the first carriers were even built. Arleigh Burke established US dominance on the high seas during World War II and the Korean War, earning three Navy Crosses, two Navy Distinguished Service Medals, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Distinguished Servicemen Series
The USPS developed these stamps to honor not just these four World War I and World War II veterans, but all soldiers. While the USPS admitted they couldn’t honor every US serviceman, these stamps were a tribute to all of them.
In speaking about the stamps, the chairman of the Postal Service Board of Governors said that “The Postal Service takes great pride honoring four courageous Americans with the issuance of these stamps… I know that these four men hold a special place in the hearts of many Americans. It is a fitting tribute that their dedication and bravery will forever be remembered on US postage stamps.”
These stamps honored John L. Hines, Omar Bradley, Alvin York, and Audie Murphy. During World War I, Hines successively commanded a regiment, brigade, division, and corps in combat. Prior to Hines, the last leader to accomplish such a feat was Lt. Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, during the Civil War. Omar commanded the largest US battle force ever (1 million men). Bradley was one of the most-respected wartime commanders because of his leadership qualities and concern for the troops.
York was a World War I hero who single-handedly attacked a German machine gun emplacement. He captured 132 prisoners. Murphy was the most decorated US combat soldier of World War II. In one instance, he used a tank’s machine gun to stop an enemy attack and saved his unit and himself.
Admiral William Sims was noted for developing tactics that defined Navy strategy for decades, including aircraft carrier strategies years before the first carriers were even built. Arleigh Burke established US dominance on the high seas during World War II and the Korean War, earning three Navy Crosses, two Navy Distinguished Service Medals, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.