From the Ascension Post I got the following info on this stamp issue.
On 7 May 1909, the Admiralty placed the first specific order for an aircraft for military operations; an act that would ultimately lead to the Royal Navy setting many of the standards and practices that are used to this day. The decision also led to the formation of the Royal Air Force with the amalgamation of the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps on 1 April 1918.
This arrangement was never comfortable and naval aviation was in a wilderness between 1918 and 1937. After petitioning for several years, naval aviation was returned to Admiralty control, but it arrived in a sorry state and a long way behind in personnel, capability and equipment.
In the lead-up to the Second World War and with naval aviation back under the control of the Admiralty, the Service again took the lead in the development of aircraft carriers and embarked flying operations; something that has been consistently reflected in the achievements of British, Commonwealth and Allied naval aviators who have been trained by the Royal Navy.
Since the Second World War there has not been a single year in which the Fleet Air Arm has not been involved in conflict, peace-keeping, humanitarian or life saving operations somewhere in the world. The role of the Fleet Air Arm has not diminished over the years. Indeed the contribution has been significant in recent years, particularly with the Naval Strike Wing (flying Harrier fixed-wing aircraft) and with helicopter support to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as assisting NATO and the United Nations when required.
In this, the Centenary year of naval aviation, we are proud to present a commemorative edition of stamps that recognises the four naval aviators whose heroic deeds have been recognised in history by their award of the Victoria Cross. The relationship between Ascension Island and the Royal Navy is long standing, with Royal Marines being garrisoned on the island during the 19th Century and the use of the islands as a staging post for ships. On 15 June 1942, a Swordfish Aircraft from the Escort Carrier HMS Archer made the first landing at Wideawake Airfield. It was however during the preparation phase of the Falklands War in 1982, that an even greater bond was formed with the Navy when aircraft ferried personnel and supplies between the United Kingdom, Wideawake and ships at anchor.
As given by this stamp:
On 9 August 1945, Robert Hampton Gray led an attack on Japanese shipping in Onagawa Bay off Honshu, Japan. Despite intensive anti-aircraft fire, having selected an enemy destroyer as his target, Gray made straight for it. His aircraft was hit many times as he closed his quarry, catching fire as he pressed home his attack. He let go his bombs some 50 feet from the destroyer, which sank almost immediately. Gray did not return from this mission.
We acknowledge with thanks the assistance of Gary Rimay-Muranyi of the Fly Navy Heritage Trust and for their permission to use the Fly Navy logo.
Built as an escort vessel by Hitachi Zosen Co. Ltd., Sakurajiman for the Imperial Japanese Navy.
05 April 1943 laid down as Kaibokan (ocean defence ship) No 231.
31 September 1943 launched under the name AMAKUSA one of the Etorofu class of which 14 were built.
Displacement 870 tons. Dim. 77.7 x 9.1 x 3.05m. (draught)
Powered by geared diesel engines, 4.200bhp., twin shafts, speed 19.7 knots.
Armament: 3 – 120mm, 4 – 25mm AA guns, later increased up to 15 AA guns. 1 – 80mm mortar, 6 depth charge throwers with 36 depth charges, later increased to 60.
20 November 1943 commissioned. Under command of Lt. Cdr. Shinoda Yoshikazu.
The Japanese Etorofu class escorts where ordered from 1941, and this class was the second batch of this type, following the inaugural Shumushu class of four ships ordered in 1937.
Their intended roles were coastal patrol, convoy escort and minesweeping.
The Imperial Japanese Navy went on to build three subsequent variants of the first two classes, know as Types B.C and D. All four types of this group of Japanese escorts also went under the collective name “Kaibokan”. The ships of the last two types were not given names. Rather they went only by number-odd numbers for Type C and even for Type D.
The “Kaibokan” designs were progressively simplified for mass production and became more angular in appearance.
AMAKUSA based at the Yokosuka Naval District and assigned to the general Escort Command’s Second Surface Escort Division.
December 1943 sailed from Yokosuka bound for Truk, and she was used thereafter to escort vessels between Truk and Japan the next months till the most Imperial Navy forces were withdrawn from Truk Lagoon.
06 March 1944 she left for the last time Truk as escort of a convoy bound for Saipan.
27 April 1944 left from Saipan bound for Tokyo Bay.
Thereafter used as escort for convoys from Japan to Saipan and Guam, and when this places were captured by the Allies she was used as a escort nearer to Japan.
03 August 1945 she sailed from Yokosuka with a convoy bound for Onagawa Bay (Wan), where the convoy arrived on 06 August 1945.
09 August 1945 while at anchor the Japanese ships were attacked by F-4U Mark IV “Corsair” fighter-bombers from HMS FORMIDABLE.
The lead pilot Lt. Robert H.Gray of the 1841st Squadron hits with a 500lbs. bomb the AMAKUSA below the after gun turret, the bomb penetrated the ammunition locker, and blows out the starboard side of the ship.
AMAKUSA get a heavy list to starboard and capsized, where after she sinks in shallow water in position 38 26N 141 30E.
Seventy-one crewmembers lost there life.
1946 Salvaged by the Nippon Salvage Company and scrapped by 25 September 1948.
Ascension 2009 50c sg?, scott?
Source: Info received from Hr. Erhard Jung. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etorofu_class_escort_ship
http://www.combinedfleet.com/Amakusa_t.htm