WAVES
Walking In Front of the NYC Skyline
John Falter
Oil on canvas
45-127-M
The Navy used this painting to print 40,000 posters and 45,000
window cards in July 1944.
Just as with men, the Navy regulated all aspects of a WAVES physical
appearance. By 1944, each enlistee owned four uniforms: summer
dress whites, as shown in this painting and poster; summer greys;
working blues; and dress blues. Noted fashion designer Mainbocher
donated his designs to the Navy for WAVES uniforms. WAVES wore
their hair short, since Naval regulations required that hair not
fall below their collars. Yet, the Navy encouraged WAVES to wear
feminine haircuts, gloves and skirts.
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Don't
Miss Your Great Opportunity
John Falter
Poster, 1944
70-623-I
In her memoir, "Mother was a Gunner's Mate: World War
II in the Waves," Josette Dermody Wingo remarked, "New
York, here I am at last, worldly and sophisticated as I've always
known my true self to be-just like the recruiting poster with
two leggy WAVES...in summer dress whites who stride in step in
front of the Manhattan skyline. Underneath it asks, 'Are you going
to miss the great adventure?' Not me." |
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Opportunity
For Leadership
John Falter
Charcoal on paper
45-127-Y |
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Enlist
in the Coast Guard SPARS
Charles Andres
Oil on canvas
45-128-A |
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Enlist
In the Coast Guard SPARS
Charles Andres
Poster
65-014-AA |
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Women
Join the Marines
McClelland Barclay
Oil on masonite
48-031-R |
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Women
Join the Marines
McClelland Barclay
Drawing
48-031-RB |
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WAVE
At War, Ships At Night
John Falter
Oil on canvas
45-127-N
WAVES were not eligible for combat duty. Their assignments
remained stateside or in the territories of Hawaii and Alaska.
But recruiting posters often depicted the contributions of WAVES
to combat victories.
Here, Falter superimposes a female enlistee
over a battle scene, as though she stands for all the WAVES-parachute
riggers, machinists' mates, gunners' mates, and others who will
make this victory possible. This type of image not only brought
in new recruits, but it boosted morale among the WAVES, reminding
them that their work was directly impacting the war effort and
strengthening the might of Navy forces.
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