Automobile Drivers Do Your Bit! Drive a Motor Truck for Uncle Sam
A soldier in campaign hat stands beside a canvas-covered motor truck with a flag behind him, above text seeking men aged 18 to 45 who can handle motor trucks. The text lists practical terms: rank of Sergeant, pay of $36 a month, rations, clothing, quarters and medical care, and a recruiting station at 1790 Broadway, New York. The appeal pairs a skilled-trade offer with Uncle Sam and 'do your bit' phrasing, and ends on a duty line about a man's part in the struggle for justice and freedom.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1917
- Period
- First World War
- Made by
- U.S. Army Quartermaster Enlisted Reserve Corps recruiting, New York City
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Military
- Regime
- Wilson Administration
- Leader
- Woodrow Wilson
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Recruit
- Theme
- War and the military
- Event
- World War I
- Regime
- Wilson administration
- Leader
- Woodrow Wilson
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives (NARA), RG 4 (U.S. Food Administration), World War I Posters (NAID 512439), retrieved October 3, 2026
- Rights
- NARA Unrestricted; hosted by owner decision
U.S. Army Quartermaster Enlisted Reserve Corps recruiting, New York City. National Archives and Records Administration, 4-P-23.
Text on the object
AUTOMOBILE DRIVERS DO YOUR BIT! DRIVE A MOTOR TRUCK for UNCLE SAM Hundreds of men required between the ages of 18 and 45 who can handle and care for motor trucks. Here is a chance for you to serve your country in a most prac- tical way—by doing that which you can do best. Military training as a soldier is not required, and in this branch of the service—Quartermaster Section Enlisted Reserve Corps—you do not have to drill with rifles, perform guard duty or other purely military duties which fall to the lot of soldiers of the Infantry, Cavalry and other branches of the Army, except in an emergency. You do have the rank of Sergeant, draw $36 a month pay, receiv- ing in addition—rations, quarters, clothing, fuel, bedding, medicine and medical attendance when required. There is a chance for rapid promotion in the case of men of high character who show most proficiency in their chosen line. You surely want to play a man's part in the struggle for justice and freedom in which America has entered. RECRUITING STATION 1790 BROADWAY, cor. 58th STREET NEW YORK CITY [artist's monogram at lower right of the picture: illegible]
Re-read from the 2000 px scan. The fine print is small but legible; the pay figure reads $36 a month.
