Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Twice a Patriot!
Artifact IDMO 2005.13.34.293
Object Type
Poster
Maker
U.S. Government Printing Office
(American, founded 1861)
Issuing Body
War Production Board
(American, 1942 - 1945)
Date1943
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 40 in x W 28 5/8 in (101.6 cm x 72.7 cm )
Physical DescriptionA sepia tone poster with a photographic image of one-armed Black welder, Obie Bartlett, working at a shipyard. Large cranes and a Navy ship are seen in the background. Maroon, black, and off-white text at the top and bottom of the poster reads: TWICE A PATRIOT! / EX-PRIVATE OBIE BARTLETT LOST LEFT ARM-PEARL HARBOR- / RELEASED: DEC., 1941-NOW AT WORK WELDING / IN A WEST COAST SHIPYARD… / "Sometimes I feel my job here is / as important as the one I had to leave." Additional small text in the bottom reads: U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1943-O-535256 / WPB Poster No. A-37. For extra copies address: / WAR PRODUCTION DRIVE HEADQUARTERS / War Production Board, Washington, D. C.
Historical NoteTexas native Obie Bartlett (1917-1993) enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1940. He lost his left arm during the Pearl Harbor attack. After spending five months in the hospital and being discharged from the military, Bartlett trained as a welder and went to work at the California Shipbuilding Corporation. His story was widely covered in the media.A facsimile of this 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
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.In Collection(s)
Exhibitions
On view