US homefront poster depicting a bloodied, wounded soldier trying to stand
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 26.000 inches (66.04 cm) | Width: 18.375 inches (46.673 cm)
Creator(s)
- United States War Manpower Commission (Author)
- United States Office of War Information (Distributor)
- Amos Sewell (Artist)
- United States Government Printing Office (Printer)
Biographical History
The United States Office of War Information (OWI) was created on June 13, 1942, to centralize and control the content and production of government information and propaganda about the war. It coordinated the release of war news for domestic use, and using posters along with radio broadcasts, worked to promote patriotism, warn about foreign spies, and recruit women into war work. The office also established an overseas branch, which launched a large-scale information and propaganda campaign abroad. The government appealed to the public through popular culture and more than a quarter of a billion dollars' worth of advertising was donated during the first three years of the National Defense Savings Program. Victory in Europe was declared on May 8, 1945, and in Japan on September 2, 1945. The OWI ceased operation in September.
Archival History
The poster was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1988 by David and Zelda Silberman.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of David and Zelda Silberman
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
US homefront propaganda poster depicting a soldier, covered with blood and with bullet holes in his uniform issued for the War Manpower Office. The poster reminds civilians of the pain endured and sacrifices being made by soldiers during the war, along with the message that the public should step up and do their part for the war effort. This poster was issued in 1945 when the war in Europe was nearing its end, but the war in the Pacific Theater was far from over. On June 13, 1942 the Office of War Information, OWI, was created with the purpose of communicating the war to the American public by posters, photographs, radio shows, and films. The OWI often employed prominent commercial illustrators, such as Amos Sewell, to create memorable, dramatic images for the posters.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Offset color lithograph poster depicting a soldier, in a ripped and bloodied uniform, on his hands and knees, trying to get up. His helmeted head is down and he pushes on the ground with his left hand; his bloody right arm rests on his rifle. He is surrounded by spent gold gun shell casings. He is portrayed within a white blotch on a bright yellow background, with text above and below. There is printed postal information and a recipient's address printed on the back.
People
- Sewell, Amos.
Subjects
- Executive departments
- United States
- World War, 1939-1945--War work--United States.
- World War, 1939-1945--United States--Posters--Specimens.
- War posters, American--Specimens.
Genre
- Posters
- Object