U.S. # 4822-23s
2013 46¢ Medal of Honor: World War II
Mint Sheet
Issued: November 11, 2013
First Day City: Washington, D.C.
Type of Stamp: Commemorative
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America for Sennett Security Products
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U.S. # 4822-23s
2013 46¢ Medal of Honor: World War II
Mint Sheet
Issued: November 11, 2013
First Day City: Washington, D.C.
Type of Stamp: Commemorative
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America for Sennett Security Products
Method: Offset printing in prestige folios of 20
Perforation: Serpentine Die Cut 11
Self-Adhesive
Quantity Printed: 81,000,000 stamps
Value: 46¢ 1-ounce first-class letter rate
Pictured on the sheet with the perforate stamps are (clockwise from upper left) Charles H. Coolidge of Chattanooga, TN; Francis S. Currey of Selkirk, NY; Walter D. Ehlers of Buena Park, CA; John D. Hawk of Bremerton, WA; Daniel K. Inouye of Honolulu, HI; Arthur J. Jackson of Boise, ID; Robert D. Maxwell of Bend, OR; Vernon McGarity of Memphis, TN; Nicholas Oresko of Cresskill, NJ; Wilburn K. Ross of Dupont, WA; retired postal employee George T. Sakato of Denver, CO, and Hershel W. Williams of Ona, WV.
Pictured on the sheet with the imperforate stamps are (clockwise from top right center of the front cover) are Korean War Medal of Honor recipients: Hector A. Cafferata Jr. of Venice, FL; William R. Charette of Lake Wales, FL; Duane E. Dewey of Irons, MI; Rodolfo P. Hernandez of Fayetteville, NC; Thomas Jerome Hudner Jr. of Concord, MA; Einar H. Ingman Jr. of Irma, WI; Hiroshi H. Miyamura of Gallup, NM; Ola L. Mize of Gadsden, AL; Ronald E. Rosser of Roseville, OH; Tibor Rubin of Garden Grove, CA; Robert E. Simanek of Farmington Hills, MI; James L. Stone of Arlington, TX; and Ernest E. West of Wurtland, KY.
In every war there are those who perform selfless acts of bravery that seem superhuman. These warriors do not seek any recognition, often considering the feat part of their duty. The Medal of Honor is one way America can acknowledge and thank these courageous people for their service.
The Medal of Honor was first awarded during the Civil War to seamen and soldiers who "most distinguish[ed] themselves by their gallantry." The first medals were given to six Union soldiers who hijacked a Confederate train named the General. More than half of the medals ever issued were awarded during the Civil War.
Over the next 150 years, 3,467 servicemen and one woman have received the Medal of Honor. From the attack on Pearl Harbor to the victory of the Allied forces, young men distinguished themselves "above and beyond the call of duty" throughout World War II. For their sacrifice, 464 of them received the medal, awarded by the President.
When a recipient is wearing the Medal of Honor, current members of the armed forces are encouraged to salute, even if they are a higher rank than the medal winner. It is a show of respect for the heroic deeds performed by those who willingly put themselves in danger for the good of their country.
In 2013, the U.S. Postal Service issued a set of two stamps commemorating the 464 men who received the Medal of Honor during World War II. Photos of the last twelve living recipients were pictured on the front of the prestige folio, a new stamp format, with the names of all those rewarded printed in the back. The stamps picture the Army and Navy versions of the Medal of Honor, photographed by Richard Frasier.
The first stamp to feature the Medal of Honor (#2045) was issued in 1983. Beginning in 2013, the U.S.P.S. began issuing stamps honoring Medal of Honor Recipients from World War II (#4822-23), the Korean War (#4822a-23a), and the Vietnam War (#4988a).
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