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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Keep Us Flying!
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Keep Us Flying!

Object numberMO 2005.13.36.192.1
Artist (American, 1888 - 1964)
Maker (American, founded 1861)
Issuing Body (American, founded 1789)
Date1943
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 28 in x W 22 in (71.1 cm x 55.9 cm )

DescriptionA color poster featuring a color illustration of Tuskegee Airman Robert W. Diez dressed in his military pilot's uniform complete with parachute. He is seen standing against a blue background and looking to the right. Blue text at the top of the poster reads: Keep us Flying! A blue band at the bottom of the poster has white text reading: BUY WAR BONDS. The artwork is by Betsy Reyneau. Additional small text in the bottom margin reads: U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1943-O-560778 / OFFICIAL U. S. TREASURY POSTER / W874.
Label TextThis poster depicts Robert W. Diez of the famed Tuskegee Airmen—the first group of African American pilots to serve in the U.S. Army Air Force. Artist Betsy Reyneau met Diez during a visit she made to Tuskegee, Alabama, to paint a portrait of George Washington Carver and create an image for a Treasury Department war bond poster. Diez had studied art and asked Reyneau if he could watch her work. After consulting with his commanding officer, Reyneau made Diez the subject for her war bond poster.

Airman Robert Diez (1919-1992) served with distinction during World War II and is credited with shooting down two enemy aircraft in Italy. He remained in the service after the war and became an Air Force test pilot. He retired as a major in 1961.

A facsimile of the poster is currently on display in the FDR Library's special exhibition, BLACK AMERICANS, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND THE ROOSEVELTS, 1932-1962.
Additional Details
Credit LineGift of the Adriance Memorial Library
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
En exposición
Related Links
For more information on the Tuskegee Airmen, including online resources, please visit the FDR Library’s website: