Resolution Island

1956 – Airmen’s Letters – USAF Historical Division

File Number

AHA

Subject: Airmen’s Letters

TO: ALL SECTION HEADS

FROM: Postal Officer, 920th AC&W Squadron

DATE: 21 Aug 56

  1. Due to the present shortage of US Postage Stamps available for use by Squadron personnel, and because of the fact that this condition may exist in future periods when transportation to and from the Squadron is delayed, it may be necessary to initiate action to enable airmen to send out mail under the thoughtful provision of paragraph 30 of AFM 182-3 Which states the following:

    2. "30. Soldiers’ and airmen’s letters. Soldiers and airmen in the United States military service may dispatch letters to addressees in the United States without stamps affixed under the conditions outlined below. Collection of payment of postage will be obtained from the addressee.

    1. The address side of the letter must be marked "Soldier’s Letter" or "Airmen’s Letter", as appropriate.
    2. Under the marking, the letter must bear the signature and official designation, either with facsimile hand stamps or in writing, of a commissioned officer to whose command the soldier or airman belongs, or a surgeon or chaplain at a hospital where he is located.
    3. Letters must be mailed at an APO or in United States postal channels."
  2. To implement this paragraph within this squadron you are requested to take the following action:
    1. Inform the members of your section of the provisions of this paragraph, and instruct them in the following desired policies and procedures which will be followed by all airmen who wish to send letters out when no stamps are available.
      1. The privilege of sending unstamped letters out will only be allowed for personal messages to friends, relatives, family or sweethearts, and not for any type of correspondence to a business or official concern.
      2. In the first unstamped letter sent to each person(s) the airmen will clearly explain his reason for sending an unstamped letter so that all recipients will understand this particular procedure.
      3. On each letter the airman will print neatly "AIRMAN’S LETTER" in the upper right hand corner of the address side of envelope.
      4. The airman will bring all letters to the Mail Clerk in the Orderly Room who will insure that the above procedures have been followed and forward the letters to the Squadron Postal Officer for certification as prescribed in paragraph 30b of AFM 182-3. Unless the work load becomes too great, the Postal Officer will do all the certifying.
    2. Section Heads will emphasize to all airmen the fact that this procedure will be allowed only in unusual situations where no stamps are available, and that the used of this privilege should not be abused in any way.
    3. The fact should also be stressed that recipients of these letters will be required to pay the postage (in effect these will be C.O.D. letters) – they are not enjoying the privilege of sending free mail.
  3. It is suggested that you keep this D/F on file for future reference in case this unfortunate situation ever arises again.

GEORGE D OETTING
1st Lt., USAF
Squadron Postal Officer