Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Keep Us Flying!
Artifact IDMO 2005.13.36.192.1
Object Type
Poster
Artist
Betsy Graves Reyneau
(American, 1888 - 1964)
Maker
U.S. Government Printing Office
(American, founded 1861)
Issuing Body
U.S. Department of the Treasury
(American, founded 1789)
Date1943
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 28 in x W 22 in (71.1 cm x 55.9 cm )
Physical 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.Historical NoteThis 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
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 StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
On view