A stamp honoring John M. Browning

[Vern Humphrey]

There is a movement to get a stamp commemorating John M. Browning issued in 2011 -- the 100th anniversary of the M1911 .45 Automatic.

You can help by writing to the Citizen's Stamp Advisory committee.

Here's a copy of the letter I sent:

Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee;
Stamp Development
US Postal Service
1735 North Lynn St Rm 5013
Arlington VA 22209-6432

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing to recommend a stamp commemorating John Moses Browning and his famous Model 1911 .45 Automatic, to be issued on the 100th anniversary of the adoption of that weapon by the US Army.

As a company commander in Viet Nam, I carried Browning's masterpiece in combat -- almost 60 years after he designed it, and it never failed me.

Browning's contribution to the security of the United States extended far beyond the M1911 pistol, of course. He also designed the M1917 machinegun, which we desperately needed on our entry into World War I, the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle, and the M1919 medium machinegun. All of these weapons soldiered on through the Korean War, and some of them were still in use during the Viet Nam war.

Browning also designed the M2 .50 Caliber Browning Machinegun, which is still in service today.

Given his outstanding contributions to the security of this country, it would be an insult to him and to the men who used these weapons to defend this nation not to honor him.

Sincerely,

Vernon Humphrey
Major, Infantry (ret.)

 

[ACP230]

Vern:
Thanks for letting us know about this.
I will get a letter out this week, and pass the address around to other shooters.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Good -- we need all the help we can get.

 

[EVIL5LITER]

While Browning's accomplishments speak for themselves, I really feel that the 1911 is NOT his crowning achievement.

I really feel that many of his other achievements helped shape this country much more so than the 1911. Nothing against it, but I don't feel it's anymore stampworth than the Auto-5 (which, coincendentally, was Browning's favorite invention, and mine).

I would say the M2 might be worthy, but the war haters would never let it through.

 

[bigun15]

the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle

Now making that in itself is enough (according to me) to be recognized on the 100th anniversary.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Now making that in itself is enough (according to me) to be recognized on the 100th anniversary.

I've used a BAR in combat (as an adviser to the ARVN) and I agree.

I also was part of the old 4/30th Infantry at Fort Sill. As the only Infantry battalion on post, we caught all sorts of details. One was running the infiltration course. In those days, the M60 was not certified for overhead live fire in training -- so we had six M1917s. I loved that gun!!

What say we get a stamp for the M1911 in the works, then go for the M1917, M1918, M1919 and the M2.

And, hey, just for EVIL5LITER we cap it off with a shotgun series -- the M12 Winchester, the Auto 5, the Remington 32, and so on.

 

[1911JMB]

Letter sent.