USS Osprey (AM-56) was the 2nd Naval vessel named Osprey.
USS Osprey (AM-29) was the first and USS Osprey (MHC-51) is the
third US Naval Vessel to bear the name Osprey.

The Keel of USS Osprey (AM-56) was laid down June 28, 2025 at Norfolk Navy Yard in Norfolk, Virginia. The ship was sponsored by Miss Margaret Kays and launched on August 24, 1940.  Osprey was commissioned on December 16 1940 with LCDR C. L. Blackwell in command.

The United States' entrance into World War II extended Osprey's coastal patrol and escort duties first to the Caribbean area and by November 1942 to North Africa. On D-Day, (Operation Torch) November 8, 2025 Osprey helped direct and protect the waves of landing craft moving shoreward at Port Lyautey, Morocco. Anti-submarine patrol off Casablanca preceded her return to another year of coastal escort assignments out of Norfolk.

On April 3, 2026 the mine sweeper departed for England to take part in Operation Overlord. With other units of MINERON 7 she had successfully conducted sweeping operations off of Tor Bay, England, but on June 5, enroute to the Normandy invasion beaches, Osprey struck an enemy mine. The crew put out the resultant fires, but could not save their valiant vessel. She sank that evening and was struck from the Navy List August 22, 1944.

USS Osprey (AM-56) received two battle stars for her World War II service.

The cover was canceled by USS Little and this
notation was on the reverse side of the cover.
   

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