About this poster:
This World War II poster features a poignant black-and-white photograph of the five Sullivan brothers, all serving in the U.S. Navy. The brothers are shown smiling in their naval uniforms, gathered together in a moment of camaraderie. Above their portrait are five blue service stars, each representing a family member in military service. The image is set against a simple white background and framed by a bold red border, evoking the colors of the American flag.
The poster's text is direct and powerful. It identifies the subjects as "the five Sullivan brothers 'missing in action' off the Solomons" and concludes with the solemn declaration, "THEY DID THEIR PART." Created in 1943 by the U.S. Office of War Information, this poster served as propaganda to bolster support on the home front. It used the real and tragic story of the Sullivan family to inspire patriotism, encourage enlistment, and promote the purchase of war bonds, turning a personal loss into a national symbol of ultimate sacrifice.
The five Sullivan brothers—George, Francis, Joseph, Madison, and Albert—were from Waterloo, Iowa. They enlisted together after the attack on Pearl Harbor on the condition that they serve on the same ship. All five were assigned to the light cruiser USS Juneau. On November 13, 1942, during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, the USS Juneau was sunk by a Japanese torpedo. All five brothers perished in the event. Their story received widespread attention and led to the U.S. War Department adopting the Sole Survivor Policy to protect family members from similar tragedies.
Our World War II reproduction posters capture the powerful messaging and patriotic spirit of a defining global conflict. These images were instrumental in mobilizing entire nations, conveying crucial messages about recruitment, war bonds, industrial production, and home front conservation. Each poster reflects the artistic styles and persuasive tactics of the era, from bold, graphic designs to emotionally charged appeals. Professionally printed by Lumber City Prints on premium quality 230gsm Matte Photo Paper, these reproductions are a stunning tribute to the art of persuasion and a pivotal period in world history.
Please note: This listing is for the reproduction print only, frames are NOT included.
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About Lumber City Prints
Lumber City Prints produces fine art prints using archival quality inks and professional Canon and Epson print equipment.
Our collection of vintage images is carefully edited to repair damage, improve color quality, adjust size, and prepare for printing.
Our source images are at least 300dpi to produce each print as accurately as the original.
The resolution we print at is much higher quality than what is generally shown in previews.
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