US #2551
1991 Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield
- Honors those who served in Operations Desert Storm and Shield
- Produced in both sheet and booklet form
Category of Stamp: Commemorative
Value: 29¢, First Class Mail rate
First Day of Issue: July 2, 1991
First Day City: Washington, DC
Quantity Issued: ... more
US #2551
1991 Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield
- Honors those who served in Operations Desert Storm and Shield
- Produced in both sheet and booklet form
Category of Stamp: Commemorative
Value: 29¢, First Class Mail rate
First Day of Issue: July 2, 1991
First Day City: Washington, DC
Quantity Issued: 200,003,000
Printed by: Stamp Venturers
Printing Method: Photogravure
Format: Panes of 50 (10 across, 5 down)
Perforations: 11
Reason the stamp was issued: This stamp was issued to honor members of the US armed forces who served in Operation Desert Shied and Operation Desert Storm.
About the stamp design: The USPS was in a rush to issue a stamp honoring those who participated in the successful assault against Iraq. After considering many designs, an image of the service medal received by those who served was chosen. The writing on the medal says, “Southwest Asia Service.
About the printing process: The same stamp design was used to print stamps in two formats by different printers. While J.W. Fergusson and Sons produced sheet stamps for Stamp Venturers, Multi-color Corporation printed booklet stamps for American Bank Note Company.
First Day City: A small First Day of Issue ceremony was held at the White House. President George Bush and Postmaster General Anthony Frank were the only participants.
Unusual thing about this stamp: Three design ideas for this stamp were brought to then-President George H. W. Bush. He chose this design showing the recently issued medal.
History the stamp represents: In August 1990, the country of Iraq invaded neighboring Kuwait and set up a puppet government. The invasion was mostly tied to oil production in Kuwait and debts Iraq owed its neighbor. Iraq’s actions were internationally condemned. Soon countries, including the US, sent troops and equipment to Saudi Arabia. It became the largest military alliance since World War II.
Aerial and naval bombardments on Iraq began on January 17, 1991, and continued for five weeks. Iraq sent missiles toward the coalition forces in Saudi Arabia, as well as over Israel, but they were ineffective.
The ground assault into Kuwait began on February 24, 1991. Within 100 hours of the start of the assault, coalition forces had freed Kuwait and were at the Iraqi border. A ceasefire was declared.
Actions against Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait were completed on February 27, 1991. Soon after, news circulated about a new stamp being issued to commemorate the victory. The stamp was issued less than five months later.
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