Semper Fi and Happy Veterans Day!

Yesterday marked the 231st birthday of the United States Marine Corps and today is Veterans Day.

Last year the achievements of John A. Lejeune, Lewis B. Puller, John Basilone, and Daniel J. Daly, four legendary Marines who served with bravery and distinction during the 20th century, were immortalized on US postage stamps.

The John A. Lejeune stamp features a detail from a circa 1924 photograph of Lejeune. The stamp also depicts the insignia of the Army's 2nd Infantry Division, which Lejeune commanded during World War I.

The Lewis B. Puller stamp features a photograph of Puller at Koto-ri, Korea, in 1950, and the insignia of the 1st Marine Division. Puller was a battalion commander and regimental commander with the 1st Marine Division during World War II and the Korean War.

The John Basilone stamp features a detail of a 1943 photograph of Basilone and the insignia of the 5th Marine Division. Basilone served and died with the 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division during the invasion of Iwo Jima in February 1945.

The Daniel J. Daly stamp features a detail from a circa 1919 photograph of Daly and the insignia of the 73rd Machine Gun Company, which is a variation on the Army's 2nd Infantry Division insignia. During World War I, Daly served as a Marine with the 73rd Machine Gun Company in the 2nd Infantry Division.

By the way, the USPS is offering a free,44-page, full color publication (#528), Veterans and the Military on Stamps. It can be downloaded by clicking here.

Semper Fi and Happy Veterans Day to all our men and women in uniform!!