Content note: Shows a swastika being bombed and destroyed, as printed. This object is shown as it was published. Why
Action speaks louder when not betrayed by words
Security-of-information poster in oversized lettering: a twin-engine bomber with a U.S. star insignia drops bombs onto a black swastika, which breaks apart in an explosion. The slogan sets bombing 'action' against 'words' that would betray it. The swastika stands for the enemy; the technique is a fear-appeal about loose talk.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1942
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- Pvt. F. Smith, Pendleton Field, Oregon (U.S. Army)
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Military
- Regime
- Roosevelt Administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Audience
- Own forces
- Purpose
- Warn or inform
- Themes
- War and the military, Security and surveillance
- Event
- World War II
- Regime
- Roosevelt administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Posters, retrieved October 4, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (U.S. government work)
Pvt. F. Smith, Pendleton Field, Oregon (U.S. Army). National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-305 (NAID 513752).
Text on the object
ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER WHEN NOT BETRAYED BY WORDS [signature:] PVT. F. SMITH 2 PENDLETON FIELD, OREGON
