Gen. George Catlett Marshall, often called "the true organizer of victory," receives a special philatelic salute by the U.S. Postal Service hailing the 50th anniversary of the Marshall Plan.
A half-century ago, Marshall proposed a plan to rebuild the European nations that had been desolated by World War II. On June 5, 1947, at Harvard University, Marshall outlined his four-year program of economic assistance and recovery for 16 European nations battered by the cruelties of warfare.Marshall felt certain that the Soviet Union planned to seize control of these nations and stated that the United States should do "whatever it is able to do to assist in the normal economic health in the world without which there can be no economic stability or peace."
Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill called him "the true organizer of victory."
Five-star general of the army, secretary of state, presidential chief of staff and the only professional soldier ever awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Marshall is recognized as a man of peace.
The multicolored stamp depicts a map of Europe with a superimposed picture of Marshall encircled at right. "European Recovery Program" is repeated twice at the left. The words "The Marshall Plan" are at the bottom. "32 USA" is at the top left.
The exact date of issuance in June has not been announced but will be relayed to collectors for their first-day covers.
Remember, the Philatelic Fulfillment Service also offers first-day covers for new issues. These are blank covers (without cachets) with the new stamps affixed and postmarked with the official "First Day of Issue" cancellation. You may phone the Service for further information at 800-STAMP-24.
- Syd Kronish