03/13/1969 USA, Apollo 9 AS Manned Flight

 Cover Commemorates Safe Recovery of Apollo 9

Apollo 9 was launched on March 3, 1969.  Its main objective was to test the Lunar Module that would be used on later missions to the Moon.  Ten days after lift off, the spacecraft returned to Earth and splashed down safely in the Atlantic Ocean.  This cover pays tribute to the US Navy Recovery Force, and the postmark is the recovery ship, the USS Guadalcanal.