The USPS’ full name for this issue: “Honoring Extraordinary Heroism: The Service Cross Medals.”

The stamps were issued Monday, May 30th, at World Stamp Show-NY 2016.

The unveiling at the first day ceremony May 30th: Left to right: David E. Williams, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, USPS; Captain Thomas Morkan, Deputy Commander, Sector New York, U.S. Coast Guard; Kristin Seaver, Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President, USPS; Lilliam Rodriguez, Postmaster, Bronx, NY; Greg Breeding, USPS Art Director for this issue.

[press release]
Postal Service Salutes Military Service Cross Recipients on Memorial Day with Forever Stamps

NEW YORK CITY — On Monday, May 30, the national day of remembrance for those who died while serving their nation, the U.S. Postal Service honored military service members who have been awarded one of the four Service Cross Medals — the Army Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, which includes the Marine Corps, the Air Force Cross and the Coast Guard Cross.

The Memorial Day first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Honoring Extraordinary Heroism: The Service Cross Medals Forever stamps took place at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center as part of the world’s largest stamp show that only takes place in the United States once a decade, World Stamp Show-NY 2016. More than 250,000 visitors are expected to attend this week-long event. The public is asked to share the news on social media using the hashtag #ServiceCrossStamps.

U.S. Coast Guard New York Sector Deputy Commander Captain Thomas Morkan joined U.S. Postal Service Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President Kristin Seaver in dedicating the stamps .

“Story after story, act after act reveals a new profile in courage and a spirit of American greatness that has defined this nation from the very beginning,” said Seaver (photo right). “These medals — and these stamps — pay homage to such heroic actions and dedication to duty.”

“It takes extraordinary heroism to be awarded such a decoration and frequently it requires the ultimate sacrifice,” said Morkan (photo left). “That type of sacrifice, that willingness to lay your life on the line for your country is what we as a nation pause to reflect upon and to pay homage to on Memorial Day. It is a great day for parades and celebrations and backyard barbeques with family and friends — but it is also the day that we honor those who since the war of independence have done what needed to be done.

Their willingness to hazard all, to pay any price, to never tire, to never cease to struggle is why we are a free and proud people, citizens of the greatest nation on this earth. That struggle is never ending. Service men and women are in harm’s way today at this very moment. As you enjoy your barbeque and the company of family and friends, I ask that you spare a few moments to honor those who so willingly make it possible.”

Updated April 29th: A look at the full pane of stamps: Updated April 29th: The first day postmarks: The DCP measure 1.81” x 1.50” The pictorial postmark measures 2.76 x 1.32” The special dedication postmarks measure 2.98” x 1.48”

Updated April 29th, from the Postal Bulletin:
On May 30, 2016, in New York, NY, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue Honoring Extraordinary Heroism: The Service Cross Medals stamps (Forever® priced at 47 cents) in four designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) souvenir sheet of 12 stamps (Item 561100). Honoring Extraordinary Heroism: The Service Cross Medals souvenir sheet of 12 stamps may not be split, and the stamps may not be sold individually.

The stamps will go on sale nationwide May 30, 2016.

This issuance continues a Postal Service™ tradition of honoring the bravery and achievements of members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Previous issuances have depicted the highest military decoration for valor in combat: the Medal of Honor. These new stamps recognize the next highest tier of military decorations for valor: the Distinguished Service Cross (Army), Navy Cross (Navy and Marine Corps), Air Force Cross, and Coast Guard Cross. Each stamp consists of a photograph of one of the four medals suspended from a ribbon and shown against a dark blue backdrop. There are a total of 12 stamps on the pane, shown in two rows. These decorations are awarded for acts of extraordinary heroism in which an individual braved enemy fire, made bold decisions, and took selfless actions to rescue or protect fellow service members. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps and stamp pane, working with photographs of the medals by Richard Frasier.

Initial Supply to Post Offices: Item 561100, $5.64, Honoring Extraordinary Heroism: The Service Cross Medals (Forever priced at 47 cents) Commemorative PSA Souvenir Sheet of 12 Stamps

Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™. Post Offices may begin ordering stamps prior to the FDOI through SFS Web.

There are special dedication postmarks.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store® website at http:⁄⁄www.usps.com⁄shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Honoring Extraordinary Heroism:
The Service Cross Medals Stamps
Special Events Coordinator
380 West 33rd Street
New York, NY 10199-9998

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by July 30, 2016.

There are six philatelic products for this stamp issue:

• 561106, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $67.68 (print quantity 3,000)
• 561110 Keepsake (set of 4), $12.95
• 561116 First-Day Cover (set of 4), $3.64
• 561121 Digital Color Postmark (set of 4), $6.48
• 561124 Framed Art, $39.95
• 561130 Ceremony Program (random single), $6.95

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Honoring Extraordinary Heroism: The Service Cross Medals Stamp
Item Number: 561100
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Souvenir Sheet of 12 (4 designs)
Series: N⁄A
Issue Date & City: May 30, 2016, New York, NY 10199
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Photographer: Richard Frasier, Vienna, VA
Modeler: Sandra Lane⁄Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 12
Print Quantity: 20,400,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit SC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, PMS 10128⁄Gold
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in.⁄21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in.⁄24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.5 x 5.5 in.⁄190.50 x 139.70 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 22 x 22.5 in.⁄558.30 x 571.50 mm
Plate Size: 144 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: N⁄A
Marginal Markings:
Back: © 2016 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (561100) in lower left corner of pane • Promotional text

From the USPS, March 31, 2016: This issuance continues a Postal Service™ tradition of honoring the bravery and achievements of members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Previous issuances have depicted the highest military decoration for valor in combat: the Medal of Honor. These new stamps recognize the second highest decoration: the Distinguished Service Cross (Army), Navy Cross (Navy and Marine Corps), Air Force Cross, and Coast Guard Cross.

The criteria for awarding each of these four medals are similar. In the official language authorized by congressional legislation, they are given for extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor:

• While engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
• While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
• While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

The Distinguished Service Cross was the first of these awards to be established, in 1918, followed the next year by the Navy Cross. The Air Force Cross was instituted in 1960, following the creation of the Air Force as a separate military service independent from the Army. The Coast Guard Cross was only recently instituted, in 2010, to recognize its members for qualifying actions taken when not operating under the Department of the Navy or during military operations against international terrorists. This decoration is yet to be awarded.

Many recipients of these awards died or were severely wounded as a result of the heroic actions for which they were honored, while a number of others died in subsequent battles before receiving the award for their earlier actions. Many recipients rescued wounded service members or drew enemy fire to buy time for others to regroup or be rescued. Some continued fighting despite their own wounds. According to official accounts, all braved enemy fire, made bold decisions, and took selfless actions to rescue or protect their fellow service members. These medals pay homage to such heroic actions and dedication to duty.