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Above and beyond the call of duty

Artist David Stone Martin (American, 1913 - 1992)

Date1940s

Object number00008291

NamePoster

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 713 x 513 mm

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

Washington

DescriptionA portrait of American Dorie Miller wearing his Navy Cross medal dominates this World War II poster. Miller was a proclaimed war hero, who took part in the American War Bonds Tour after serving in Pearl Harbour during 1941. This poster was issued by the Office of War Information to motivate others behind the call of duty like him.HistoryAmerica officially entered the arena of World War II after Japan attacked the Hawaiian base of Pearl Harbour. The 8am morning raid left American armed forces significantly weakened resulting in the loss of 2403 lives and the destruction of large amounts of military equipment and hardware. Twenty-one ships of the United States Pacific Fleet were sunk or damaged, consisting of the battleships USS ARIZONA, USS CALIFORNIA, USS MARYLAND, USS NEVADA, USS OKLAHOMA, USS PENNSYLVANIA, USS TENNESSEE and USS WEST VIRGINIA; cruisers USS HELENA, USS HONOLULU and USS RALEIGH; the destroyers USS CASSIN, USS DOWNES, USS HELM and USS SHAW; seaplane tender USS CURTISS; target ship USS UTAH; repair ship USS VESTAL; minelayer USS OGLALA; tug USS SOTOYOMO; and Floating Drydock Number 2. I88 Aircraft were also destroyed and 159 damaged. Doris 'Dorie' Miller was a messman on board USS WEST VIRGINIA and stationed in Pearl Harbour during the attack. Before WEST VIRGINIA sank, Miller carried wounded sailors to safety and manned a 50 caliber Browning anti-aircraft machine gun, despite having no gunnery training. Largely due to pressure from the black press, he was the first Black American to be awarded the prestigious Navy Cross medal for courage in battle. He went on to take part in the American War Bonds Tour building support on the home front and speaking to members of the public. Miller was later listed as missing in action after serving on USS LISCOME BAY, torpedoed and lost at sea on 25 November 1944. SignificanceThis is a good example of how posters depicted heros to unite the public behind the war campaign.