Under the title of "Great Achievements and Achievers", the U.S. Postal Service announced that "Some of the finest achievements and achievers in U.S. history will be honored on the nation's postage stamps . . . in a way that is both interesting and educational," said Postmaster General William Hendersen.  Among those is "the first prestige booklet ever offered in the United States, containing 10 stamps with five designs featuring U.S. Navy submarines . . .".  In Groton, Connecticut, the U.S. Postal Service officially unveiled the series of five submarine stamps to the public.  The west coast unveiling was held on the birthday of the Submarine Force in San Pedro, Port of Los Angeles, California, site of the first Submarine Base on the West Coast.

Submarine Service Gets Stamps

According to postal officials, these five stamp designs depict different periods in submarine technology in the first ever U.S. commemorative prestige booklet, contain- ing text and photographs in addition to the stamps themselves.

Five different stamps commemorate 100 years of submarine service, each reflecting a different denomination. The booklet itself contains photographs and commentary describing the developments of the U.S. submarine program.

The first stamp, in this series of five stamps, is of the submarine HOLLAND, the Navy's first submarine. The second stamp, an S-class submarine, shows the advancements in technology and size that occurred between the purchase of the HOLLAND and World War I. The third stamp is of the GATO-class which represents the contributions that submarines made to American naval superiority in the Pacific during World War II.  The fourth and fifth stamps are of a LOS ANGELES-class attack submarine and an OHIO-class ballistic missile submarine, representing an ever present deterrent to possible military aggression.

California Center For Military History Joins the City of Los Angeles in Stamp Unveiling

The Los Angeles Maritime Museum was selected as the West Coast's official site for the unveiling of the Nation's first ever "Prestige Commemorative Mint Stamp Booklet" celebrating the U.S. Navy's 100th anniversary of the Submarine Force.

The city of Los Angeles, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, Naval Submarine League, United States Submarine Veterans Incorporated, U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II, Navy League of the United States, and the State of California's own Center for Military History, officially unveiled to the public the first Prestige Commemorative Mint Stamp Booklet ever offered in the United States at a special Pictorial Cancellation and Unveiling Ceremony held on April 11, 2000 outside the Los Angeles Maritime Museum.

April 11, 2000 marked the date of the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Submarine Force. During that time America's submarine service has come a long way. 

CAPT John J. Schwanz, USN, Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Representative West Coast served as the event's keynote speaker.  In his remarks, Captain Schwanz made reference to the historic significance of site of the unveiling which was selected because San Pedro-Los Angeles Harbor once served as the site of the first Submarine Base on the West Coast.  The first Submarine Base on the West Coast was established here in 1913 and hosted early submarines of the F, H, L, and R classes.  When the base closed in 1932, S-class submarines, like the one shown on the commemorative stamp and depicted in the movie U-571, were based here.  Many of our World War II submarines were dismantled across the harbor at nearby Terminal Island, not to mention the city's namesake USS LOS ANGELES is lead ship of the 688 class shown on the 33¢ stamp.

Mr. William Almaraz, District Manager, U.S. Postal Service, Long Beach District, joined in the celebration with the public unveiling of five submarine stamps within yards of the site of the West Coast's first submarine base San Pedro.

Throughout the year the U.S. Navy celebrated 100 years of submarine service. To mark this historic event, five U.S. Navy Submarines stamp designs depicting different periods in submarine technology were made available in the Nation's first  Prestige Commemorative Mint Stamp Booklet, containing authoritative text and photographs in addition to the stamps. These submarines stamps were illustrated by James Griffiths of Glenview, Ill. Carl Herrman of Carlsbad, California, as art director.

Without a doubt, this stunning limited edition Prestige Commemorative Mint Stamp Booklet is destined to become a cherished heirloom that you'll proudly pass on to future generations.  Panes of 33-cent stamps are now available at post offices nationwide. The prestige booklet are available only at philatelic centers, Postal Stores and via mail order.

U.S. Navy Submarines . . . A Century of Service to America