Korean War

1955 Armed Forces Reserve stamp
April 23, 1908

Founding of the U.S. Army Reserve

The forerunner of the US Army Reserve was established on April 23, 1908. It was the nation’s first federal reserve – providing fully-trained and prepared troops in times of need. Today, there are over 815,000 reservists across all the military branches.

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 US #2152 was based on a photo of US troops retreating from Chosin Reservoir.
November 27, 1950

Battle of Chosin Reservoir 

On November 27, 1950, the Korean War Battle of Chosin Reservoir began – a fighting withdrawal in the bitter cold.

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 US #3142a – from the Classic American Aircraft Sheet
October 26, 1940

First Flight of the P-51 Mustang

On October 26, 1940, the P-51 Mustang completed its first flight.

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 US #4441 – from the Distinguished Sailors issue
October 19, 1901

Birth of Arleigh Burke

US Navy Admiral Arleigh Burke was born on October 19, 1901, in Boulder, Colorado.

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 US #2818 was issued in conjunction with the Seventh National Convention of the Afro-American Postal Leaders United for Success.
September 21, 1866

Buffalo Soldiers 

On September 21, 1866, the 9th and 10th Cavalry units and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st Infantry units (later consolidated as the 24th and 25th Infantry) were formed.  The units were comprised entirely of black soldiers – the first to serve in a peacetime army.  They would come to be known as Buffalo Soldiers.

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 US #4694 from the Major League Baseball All-Stars issue.
August 30, 1918

Happy Birthday, Ted Williams

Baseball legend Theodore Samuel Williams was born on August 30, 1918, in San Diego, California. 

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33¢ NATO 50th Anniversary
August 24, 1949

Founding of NATO 

On August 24, 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty came into force, officially establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

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 US #3187e from the Celebrate the Century sheet.
July 5, 1950

Battle of Osan 

On July 5, 1950, US forces had their first fight of the Korean War at the Battle of Osan.

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 US #3962 from the Distinguished Marines issue.
June 26, 1898

Birth of Chesty Puller

Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller was born on June 26, 1898, in West Point, Virginia.

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