Army & Navy Issue

The 1-cent Army Issue of December 15, 1936, has George Washington's residence at Mount Vernon as its central design. Portraits of Washington and Nathanael Greene flank the image of Mount Vernon. Greene became one of Washington's most valued generals in the Revolutionary War, taking the lead in several major campaigns. He was widely viewed as the heir apparent if Washington should be killed or incapacitated.

Gordon T. Trotter

The 1-cent green Navy commemorative stamp issued December 15, 1936, features portraits of Admiral John Paul Jones at the left and Commodore John Barry at the right, with contemporary sailing ships in the center. Jones was a Revolutionary War hero. In a desperate battle against British Captain Richard Pearson, Jones was asked if he was ready to surrender. At that, Jones called out his famous reply, "I have not yet begun to fight!" Barry was also a hero of the Revolution. When the navy was reconstituted after the war, he became senior commander of the fleet. He is referred to as the "Father of the American Navy."

Gordon T. Trotter

The 2-cent Army stamp issued January 15, 1937, features portraits of Andrew Jackson and Winfield Scott on either side of Jackson's home, The Hermitage. General Jackson was a hero of the War of 1812, his troops having defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans. He served as president from 1829-1837. General Scott was a hero of the Mexican War, leading a campaign from Vera Cruz to Mexico City.

Gordon T. Trotter

The 2-cent carmine Navy commemorative stamp issued January 15, 1937, shows portraits of commodores Stephen Decatur (left) and Thomas MacDonough (right) and a contemporary warship in the center. Both men were heroes of the Barbary Wars and of the War of 1812.

Gordon T. Trotter

The 3-cent purple Army commemorative stamp issued February 18, 1937, features portraits in oval frames of three Union generals of the Civil War—Sherman, Grant, and Sheridan (left-right).

Gordon T. Trotter

The 3-cent purple Navy commemorative stamp issued February 18, 1937, shows portraits of Admirals David Farragut (left) and David Porter (right), with a contemporary warship in the center. Both men were Union Navy heroes of the Civil War, most notably in the Mississippi and Western Rivers campaigns. Porter also participated in the North Atlantic blockade. In a personal sidelight, Farragut was David Porter's foster brother, a relationship stemming from a rescue of Porter's father from a foundering boat by the Farraguts.

Gordon T. Trotter

The 4-cent gray Army commemorative stamp, issued March 23, 1937, features portraits of Confederate Civil War generals Robert E. Lee (left) and Stonewall Jackson (right). Between the portraits is Stratford Hall, Lee's ancestral home.

Gordon T. Trotter

The 4-cent gray Navy commemorative stamp issued March 23, 1937, features Admirals William Sampson, George Dewey, and Winfield Schley. These men were heroes of the Spanish-American War. Sampson and Schley commanded actions in Cuba, and Dewey commanded forces in the Philippines.

Gordon T. Trotter

The 5-cent ultramarine Army commemorative stamp issued May 26, 1937, features several buildings at the U. S. Military Academy, founded in 1802, at West Point, New York.

Gordon T. Trotter

The 5-cent ultramarine Navy commemorative stamp issued May 26, 1937, features the seal of the U.S. Naval Academy flanked by two midshipmen, the sailor at the left wearing an early uniform and the other wearing a uniform of the present day. The Naval Academy was established in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1845.

Gordon T. Trotter