First day cover for the U.S.S. TERN

first day cover

PHILATELY
USA, VA, Norfolk; USA, VA, Portsmouth
1939-04-09; 1939-04-10
paper
overall: 3-5/8 x 6-1/2 in.

First day cover for the U.S.S. TERN (AM-31, built 1919), minesweeper; front of envelope has no cachet; stamp on right features portrait of Benjamin Franklin in profile, printed on stamp "UNITED/ STATES/ POSTAGE/ BENJAMIN/ FRANKLIN/ 1/2 CENT 1/2"; stamp postmarked "U.S.S. TERN/ APR/ 9/ 1939/ REGISTERED", "U.S.S. TERN/ APR/ 9/ 1939/ PARCEL POST", "U.S.S./ APR/ 10/ A.M./ 1939/ TERN", "U.S.S./ APR/ 10/ 1939/ TERN." and "N.O.B./ NORFOLK-VA."; stamped on back "NAVAL CACHET AND CANCEL CLUB/ PORTMOUTH, VIRGINIA/ P.O. BOX 32". The U.S.S. TERN shot down one enemy plane and rescued 47 survivors during the attack on Pearl Harbor (see correspondence file).

2007.25.41