USS SANCTUARY AH-17 USN Vietnam War Hospital Ship ColorPhotoCachet First Day PM

Description

USS SANCTUARY AH-17 memorial ship cover for WW II  merchant vessel converted into a US Navy
Hospital Ship. Cover postmarked first day at Orlando, FL on Feb 25, 1999.
Color photo cachet #1358 by Alvin Eckert, USCS #9964.  Archive Quality Envelope with gum on the flap.
USS Sanctuary: This proud vessel was laid down as a cargo ship SS Marine Owl at Chester, PA in June of 1944. She was acquired by the USN in September, converted into a Navy Hospital Ship at Hoboken, NJ, and commissioned as USS Sanctuary AH-17 on June 20, 1945. She joined the fleet after the Pacific War was over, but greatly assisted in the treatment of POWs and transport the injured from Okinawa to US Army medical facilities in Japan. She was decommissioned in 1946, placed in the reserve fleet, but re-commissioned for Vietnam War service in 1966. The vessel earned 11 battle stars in Vietnam service. She also operated as a good-will mission floating hospital for many years after the war ended in 1971.
Cover franked with a 33 cent flag stamp (FDOI).
Seller also has covers for USS Comfort, Haven, Hope, Mercy, Relief, Repose, and Solace
and many other Vietnam War ship covers.
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These items make fine gifts when mounted on a colored matte
and placed in a 5x7 picture frame.
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