1943 First Anniversary Fall of and 12 similar items

This is a First Day Cover commemorating the First Anniversary of the Fall of Bataan-Corregidor May 7 1943. Stamped in Manila Philippines. passed by the Japanese Military Police Censor. In great condition. Some creases on left upper corner. Inscriptions at the backside of envelope: T/4 W O Hutchison Jr. Sept 18, 1945 City of Tacloban, Leyte Island, Philippines. U.S.S. GEN. HERSEY. The General M. L. Hersey (AP-148) was built by Kaiser Co, Inc. of Richmond, California launched on April 1, 1944 sponsored by Mrs. Alice Hersey Wick, General Hersey's duaghter and acquired by the Navy on May 31, 1944. She was commissioned on July 29, 144 with Capt. James W. Smith in command. She brought home more than 3,000 veterans of the Pacific fighting. Between November 7, 1944 and August 14, 1945, the tranport made 4 round-trip voyages from San Francisco Seattle to the Western Pacific, carrying troops to New Guinea, the Philipines, the Palaus, and the Marianas during the final amphibious offensive against Japan. In Leyte in November General M.L. Hersey endured frequent air attacks. Following the surrender of Japan, she left Seattle August 31 and, streaming via the Philippines she arrived Yokohama on September 24 with occupation troops. General M. L. Hersey received on battle star for World War II service and two battle stars for Korean War Service. The ship was sold under the MARAD Ship Exchange Program to Sea-Land Service, Inc. on August 16, 1968 and renamed SS Pittsburg. Shipping is $1.95 to anywhere in the USA. International shipping rates apply.