New Stamp To Honor War Hero

The Grand Lodge of New York, Order Sons of Italy in America State President, Joseph J. DiTrapani is pleased to announce that World War II hero John Basilone will be honored with a commemorative postage stamp in 2005.

Marine Gunnery Sergeant Basilone will be one of four Marines to be honored in a USPS Distinguished Marine stamp series that will be released sometime in 2005. The other Marines are Daniel J. Daly, John A. Lejeune and Louis B. Puller.

The design for the Basilone stamp has been approved, but the date of its unveiling has not been set.

John Basilone was the only enlisted Marine in World War II to earn both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross, the nation's two highest military honors for bravery in battle. General Douglas MacArthur called him "a one-man army" for his valor in a battle with a Japanese regiment during the Battle of Guadalcanal on October 24-25, 1942.

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