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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.
Silence Means Security
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Silence Means Security

Object numberMO 2005.13.21.50
Name Poster
Maker (American, founded 1861)
Issuing Body (American, 1789 - 1947)
Issuing Body (American, 1907 - 1986)
Date1943
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 28 in x W 20 in (71.1 cm x 50.8 cm )
DescriptionA color poster featuring an illustration of a brown owl perched on a branch against the background of the night sky. The owl’s body is partially covered by a large oak leaf on which is the following message in red and black: A wise Old Owl sat in an oak / The more he saw the less he spoke / The less he spoke the more he heard / Soldier . . . . . be like that Old Bird! Additional white on blue text below the illustration reads: ★ SILENCE MEANS SECURITY ★

Small text printed near the bottom of the poster reads: W. D., A.G.O., "OWL" SECURITY POSTER / U. S. Government Printing Office: 1943—O- 514854.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by the Adriance Memorial Library.
Credit LineGift of the Adriance Memorial Library
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesOriginal Posters from World War I and World War II (National Archives Identifier 739394)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
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