Military Mail: Korean War (Frame 9)
This web page, published by the Military Postal History Society, contains the text of Frame 9 of the Korean War exhibit pages created by Bob Collins. They are reproduced and distributed to the public with his permission.
To see exhibit frame images, click on Frame 9 exhibit frame images.
Updated 11/21/2024
GREECE
Serving with the 1st U.S. Cavalry Division. Later the 15th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Division.
March 19, 1951 - Through United States postal facilities APO #59 at Pusan, South Korea. B/S: Athens, Greece, March 30, 1951; the stamp indicates postage was paid by recipient.
GREECE
March 31, 1951 — Through United States postal facilities APO #201 at Yoju, South Korea
INDIA
Serving with the British 1st Commonwealth Division.
Lettersheet printed for forces use in Korea; mailed through United States postal facilities.
ITALY
Italian Red Cross Hospital unit set up at Yongdungpo, South Korea.
June 29, 1952 - Mailed through United States postal facilities.
November 3, 1954 - Mailed from the Italian Red Cross Field Hospital Unit #68 through United States postal facilities APO #971 at Yongdungpo, South Korea.
Luxembourg
Served with Belgian units with the 29th Commonwealth Brigade and later with the 7th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd U. S. Infantry Division
Smallest unit in United Nations contingent. Varied from 44-48 soldiers.
Only reported example of commercial mail (not philatelic) from a Luxembourg soldier.
March 3, 1951 - Through United States APO #468 at Unmong—ni, South Korea. Unit so small it was attached to the Belgian infantry battalion. Return address CIE. (Company) A. PEL.LUX. (Luxembourg). Addressed to Trier, Germany, small town on Germany/Luxembourg border.
Netherlands
Served with the 2nd U.S. Infantry Division.
June 13, 1951 - Mailed through United States postal facilities APO; stamp was applied en route.
NETHERLANDS
August 17, 1951 - Printed for use in the Korean War. Through United States APO postal facilities.
Frigate Hr. Ms. Dubois (Hr. Ms. stands for Her Majesty's).
Serving in Korean waters May 11, 1953 to September 9, 1954. Transferred to U.S. Navy ship Post Office #17000, active in Korean waters from 1951 — 1964.
New Zealand
Serving with the British 1st Commonwealth Division
Mailed from HMNZS Rotoiti on first of two combat tours October 1950 to November 1952.
B/S: Auckland (Naval Base) February 6, 1951.
Note: Same 'gentlemen's' agreement between New Zealand, Australia, and United Kingdom military post offices accepting stamps from any of the three countries. Hubba Hubba marking is unlisted in the N.Z. Postal Services Handbook No. 1 by R. M. Startup.
NEW ZEALAND
March 15, 1952 - Mailed through New Zealand postal facilities APO #444.
Note: Hubba Hubba marking is unlisted in the NZ. Postal Services Handbook No. 1 by R. M. Startup.
October 6, 1953 - Mailed from Auckland, New Zealand to Pusan, South Korea.
NORWAY
Serving with the British 1st Commonwealth Division.
1st Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (NORMASH) undated through United States postal facility.
Note: While this cover is obviously 'PHILATELIC' (mailed to the Norwegian Mobile Army Surgical Hospital Unit by a British collector with stamps and address to be sent back to him), it is the only example I have found from this MASH unit. In writing several letters to the Norwegian Military Attaché in Washington, D.C., it was verified that the return addressee was the commanding officer (CO) of NORMASH. Overpaying is not unusual with foreign collectors.
(The square Norwegian MASH handstamp appears on other philatelic examples from this unit.)
Philippines
Serving with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment.
February 15, 1951 - Through United States postal facilities APO #301 at Taegu, South Korea. PEFTOK (Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea).
Through United States APO #86. 14th BCT (Battalion Combat Team) stationed in Korea June 1952 - April 1953. It appears the Philippine soldiers brought their own supply of 3¢ purple presidential stamps as the other two covers I have seen all bore the same 3¢ stamps.
SWEDEN
Swedish Red Cross Hospital unit set up at Pusan, South Korea.
June 13, 1951 — Mailed through United States postal facilities APO #707 at Pusan, South Korea.
Thailand
Supporting Commonwealth and U. S. ground troops through shore bombardment missions.
December 31, 1951 - Thailand Navy Ship - HMTS Prasae in Korean waters, based in Sasbeo, Japan, as were most naval combat ships operating off the Korean coast.
Brownish marking (upper right corner) applied aboard ship. Signature below is by Acting 1st Lieutenant Nakorn Jungkanak, with censor mark dated December 31, 1951.
B/S: Bangkok, January 7, 1952, with a slogan cancellation (Liberty Depends on Unity).
Turkey
Serving with the 25th U.S. Infantry Division.
January 26, 1952 - Through United States postal facilities APO #25 at Yongdungpo, South Korea.
December 23, 1952 - Through United States postal facilities APO #25 at Chunchon, South Korea.
Union of South Africa
Serving with the British 1st Commonwealth Division.
Lettersheet printed for use in Korean War. Used by a member of South African Fighter Squadron #2, who were called the 'Flying Cheetahs,' a nickname given to them during World War II because they kept two pet cheetahs as mascots.
Union of South Africa
May 6, 1952 - Printed for use in Korean War (different than previous example) for members of South African Fighter Squadron #2. Through British FPO #798 (extra postage was required for airmail) to see if the British Postal Service is faster than the American service (per enclosure).
July 14, 1953 - Mailed from Pretoria, South Africa, to South African Air Force Squadron #2.
Stamps insufficient for air mail delivery, marked 'Surface,' sent through Durbin, South Africa.