Okinawa Radar Picket Destroyer to Brooklyn Naval Clothing Depot

OVERVIEW

This is an exceptional 1946 post-World War II naval airmail cover mailed from the USS Gainard, an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer celebrated for its heroic service as a radar picket ship during the Okinawa campaign. Mailed on December 5, 1946, this piece documents the logistical transition of the United States Navy fleet through its direct correspondence with the historic Brooklyn Navy Yard Clothing Depot.

FRANKING & POSTAL HISTORY

The cover is franked with a 6-cent carmine red Transport Plane airmail stamp, positively identified as Scott C25.

This 1941-issue stamp represents a significant late-usage example during the December 1946 transition period, occurring shortly after the domestic airmail rate dropped to 5 cents.

The cover features a superior, high-clarity circular ship cancellation reading:

U.S.S. GAINARD (DD-706)

December 5, 1946

This is a dedicated naval shipboard strike applied by the ship's clerk.

The strike is remarkably bold and crisp, perfectly tying the Scott C25 stamp to the envelope with a clean four-bar killer.

CONTEXT & COLLECTOR APPEAL

The sender is identified as F.D. Sanford, Chief Signalman, aboard the USS Gainard.

The Gainard earned the Navy Unit Commendation for extraordinary heroism off Okinawa, where she survived twenty-seven aerial attacks. In late 1946, she was serving with the Operational Development Force on the East Coast, making this a vital piece of her post-war operational and administrative record.

The destination address at 29th Street and 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn was the site of the massive United States Naval Clothing Depot. During the 1945 to 1946 demobilization period, this facility was the primary hub for outfitting millions of sailors returning from global theaters.

This is a high-value cross-market rarity that combines the combat prestige of an Okinawa radar picket destroyer with a unique logistical destination, appealing to both maritime historians and postal history specialists.

ITEM SPECIFICS

Country: United States

Year: 1946

Type: Naval Airmail Cover

Topic: USS Gainard DD 706 Naval Airmail

Theme: Okinawa Radar Picket Destroyer

Subject: Brooklyn Naval Clothing Depot

Era: Post WWII 1946

Occasion: Naval Logistics Uniform Shop

Region: New York Atlantic Fleet

Stamp Color: Carmine Red

Stamp Denomination: 6 Cents

Cancellation Type: Circular Ship Cancel with Four Bar Killer

Cancellation Date: 5 December 1946

Scott Number: C25

Custom SKU: DD706-BKN-1946-C25

CONDITION

This original cover is in authentic mailed condition with typical light handling wear and minor edge toning.

The circular ship cancel is of strike-quality, exceptionally bold and clear.

The Scott C25 stamp is well-centered and securely tied.

The envelope remains structurally sound with the original flap and manuscript address fully legible.

Please review photographs carefully to determine exact condition.