On May 13, 1918, the United States issued its first airmail stamp – U.S. #C3. The possibility of airmail delivery had been debated and dismissed for nearly a decade, so it came as a surprise to many when Postmaster General Burleson suddenly announced that service would begin between New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The year was 1918 and the world was at war. Critics argued that every available resource – including planes and pilots – was needed to win the war. However, Burleson brokered a deal with the War Department on March 1, 1918. Under this arrangement, the Postal Department would handle their traditional tasks and the military would provide the planes and pilots. Americans would have a rapid system of mail transportation, and military pilots would receive badly needed flight training. However, the War Department didn’t notify the Army Air Service of its new assignment until May 3, 1918. Major Reuben H. Fleet, an Army executive officer in charge of planning instruction, was placed in charge of making the necessary arrangements. The task was overwhelming. Fleet faced a shortage of planes, pilots, airfields, and aircraft mechanics. None of the available planes were capable of flying the proposed route. “The best plane we have is the Curtiss JN-4D Jenny, and it will fly only an hour and twenty minutes. Its maximum range is 88 miles at a cruising speed of 66 miles per hour,” Fleet advised.