U.S. Navy Submarines

These five stamp designs depict different periods in submarine technology and will be available in the first U.S. commemorative prestige booklet, containing text and photographs in addition to the stamps.

In 1900, with the purchase of "Holland," the U.S. Navy acquired its first submarine. The S-class submarine shows the change in technology and size that occurred after USS "Holland. " The "Gato" class sub represents the contributions that submarines made to American naval superiority in the Pacific during WWII. "Los Angeles" class attack subs are nuclear powered. The "Ohio" class submarine. 560 feet long with 24 Trident ballistic missiles. represents an ever present deterrent to possible military aggression.

To commemorate the Centennial Celebration of the U.S. Navy Submarine Service(the year 2000), the artist [ Jim Griffiths ] was invited by the U.S. Postal Service to do a series of paintings; five of the paintings would be printed as postage stamps as well as a sixth painting that would be incorporated into a specially created “Prestige Booklet” that held the stamps and encapsulated the history of the submarine. Not only did the artist have the honor of creating art for this first-of-its-kind booklet, but one of the paintings, that of the W.W. II Gato class sub, was the first double-wide stamp ever printed by the USPS.

The auditorium at Dealey Center was the center of excitement Monday when the U. S. Postal Service unveiled five new stamps to honor the Navy's submarine force.

Participating in the ceremony were Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT); Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT); Rep. Sam Gejdenson (D-CT); VADM Edmund Giambastiani Jr., COMSUBLANT; CAPT H. A. Lincoln, Jr., CO of Subase; EMC Andy Feindt (Ret.), Connecticut State Commander, Submarine Veterans of WWII; and Jo Saunders, Postal Service District Manager, CT District.

Also in attendance were John F. Walsh, Postal Service Board of Governors; Town of Groton Mayor Dee Hauber; City of Groton Mayor Dennis Popp; Jon M. Steele, Postal Service vice President, Northeast Area; Michael W. Toner, President of EB; Dr. Charles P. Muncatchy, Superintendent, Groton Public Schools; and Michael Tomaszek, Postmaster of Groton.

Unable to attend the ceremony, Connecticut Governor John Rowland sent a certificate proclaiming the day "U.S. Navy Commemorative Postage Stamp Day" in the state of Connecticut.

Helping kick off the ceremony was a group of fifth-graders from Charles Barnum, Mary Morrison, Pleasant Valley, and William Seeley schools who led the audience in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

"Submarine Base New London's heart is really in the faces and the souls of the 10,000 Sailors and our dedicated Department of the Navy workforce that are stationed here," said Lincoln in his welcoming remarks.

"The U.S. Navy Submarines stamps pay tribute to one of our nation's greatest technological achievements and they will help remind us of the dedication and valor of our nation's submarine force in war and peacetime," Dyhrkopp told the audience as he dedicated the stamps.

Following the unveiling of the stamps, Andy Feindt led the tolling of the bells for the 52 submarines lost in WWII and in the post-war era. "I am honored and delighted to commend the postal service for the recognition in issuing of the submarine stamps," he said.

The five stamp designs depict different periods in submarine history and include the USS Holland the first submarine acquired by the Navy; S-class; Gato-class; Ohio and Los Angeles classes.

"As the senior submarine operational commander I would like to take this opportunity to thank those here today who design build and maintain our submarines," said Giambastiani. "Your contributions are essential to maintaining undersea superiority," he added. During the ceremony, he presented Dyhrkopp with the Centennial Jack - the celebratory jack being flown on submarines this year.

"The community has pulled together many times . . . the same thing happened on the sub stamp issue," said Gejdenson. "I want to thank all of them for the tireless efforts they were involved in having this day come about," he continued. "And I also want to thank the Postal Service for listening," he concluded.

"Just as an old creed says that postal workers deliver through rain, sleet and snow, submarines and submariners have truly delivered time and time again when our nation has called them to service...this is a fitting way to honor both. I am pleased to have worked with them to make this day possible," said Dodd.

"Today is a day of gratitude, pride, and celebration," remarked the Lieberman final speaker of the morning. "The stamps are a tribute to a century of ingenuity and craftsmanship by the men and women of Electric Boat. They also honor the brave Sailors who served on the subs, many of whom gave their lives in the name of freedom," he added.

Following the ceremony, visitors were offered the chance to buy stamps and first-day cancellations. The Post Office on Wheels was set up outside the theater to help meet the demand.

The pane of 33-cent stamps went on sale in Groton on Tuesday. The prestige booklet featuring all stamps will be available only at philatelic centers, Postal Stores and via online or telephone mail order.

Stamps might still be available.       Try at www.stampsonline.com    or call toll-free 1-800-STAMP-24.