Content note: A cartoon showing a grave marker topped with a helmet and inscribed as a former U.S. athlete killed in action in 1943, with a civilian addressing it about buying war bonds. This object is shown as it was published. Why
Better than a Wreath
A man labelled 'Gus Fan', hat in hand, speaks to a grave marker topped with a helmet and inscribed 'Former U.S. Athlete, Killed in Action' with a 1943 date, saying that the most he can put into bonds is the least he can do and that he will see the team has the best equipment. The tell is transfer: a fallen soldier's sacrifice is attached to the purchase of war bonds.
Propaganda techniques used in this cartoon
- Date
- May 30, 1943
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- Washington Evening Star (cartoonist Jim Berryman)
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Cartoon
- Issuer type
- Media
- Regime
- Roosevelt Administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Persuade or win support
- Themes
- War and the military, Home front, Economy and finance
- 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, Records of the U.S. Senate, Jim Berryman Political Cartoons (NAID 5730852), retrieved October 3, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (U.S. government work)
Jim Berryman, Washington Evening Star. National Archives and Records Administration, Records of the U.S. Senate, local ID 5743127 (NAID 5743127).
Text on the object
FORMER U.S. ATHLETE KILLED in ACTION ...19, 1943 AFTER WHAT YOU PUT INTO THIS GAME, BUDDY, THE MOST I CAN PUT INTO BONDS IS THE LEAST I CAN DO! IT'S UP TO ME PERSONALLY TO SEE THAT YOUR TEAM HAS THE BEST EQUIPMENT IN THE WORLD ! GUS FAN JIM BERRYMAN
