July 2009
Philippine Issue (Scott #925) commemorates the final resistance of Philippine and United States defenders on Corregidor to the Japanese invaders in 1942. The stamp is perforated 11 x 10.5, printed by rotary press in deep violet, and issued in plates of 200 subjects in four panes of 50. The stamp was first placed on sale in Washington, D.C., September 27, 1944, with issuances totaling 50,129,350.
The main subject is an aerial southeast view of Corregidor, with three South Channel connecting islands in the background from left to right: Caballo, El Fraile, and Carabao. After the Spanish-American War in 1898, the U.S. Army fortified these four islands and named them Fort Mills, Fort Hughes, Fort Drum, and Fort Frank respectively.
Tadpole shaped, Corregidor is four miles long and 1.5 miles at the widest point for a total three square mile area. The stamp forefront view of the island reveals the Topside: The headquarters, barracks for enlisted, and significant battery fortifications are centered here. Eastward on the island lays Middleside, and Bottomside towards the tail end. With a magnifying glass, one can see Fort Drum’s (middle, connecting island) 14-inch twin-gun turrets jutting out of the “concrete battleship.”
Less than an acre in size, the tiny island was razed by American engineers and fortified into an indestructible fortress. Along the top of the stamp, the shoreline of Cavite Province is imposed with “United States of America.”
During the early phases of World War II, Corregidor received non-stop Japanese artillery bombardment; however, Filipino and American forces held on bravely for several months and inflicted heavy enemy losses. After the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942 ended Filipino and American opposition to Japanese forces on Luzon in the northern Philippines, the Battle for Corregidor ensued. The 14th Japanese Imperial Army focused on capturing Corregidor in order to access Manila Bay.
For almost a month, Filipino and American troops under Lt. General Jonathan Wainwright fought bravely even though they were cut off from all aid, supplies, and food. On May 5th before midnight, Japanese forces invaded the shores of Corregidor. With limited defenses and hundreds of wounded men in the Malinta tunnel, the last stronghold of Filipino and American forces, Wainwright surrendered the Corregidor garrison on May 6, 1942.
Philately is the study of stamps and related items. This report is the first in a series of articles recognizing a person, place, or event in the Philippines commemorated on a United States postage stamp. Author is a member of the American Philatelic Society, United States Stamp Society (pending), and Midwest Philatelic Society. Source: Scott’s Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps & Covers, 2009 edition. Stamp image courtesy of Bob Allen.
