Content note: One photograph shows servicemen performing as entertainers in blackface makeup. This object is shown as it was published. Why
For troops overseas: Special Service Units
A photographic fact sheet on Army Special Service Units: an organisation chart, captioned photographs of trucks, pianos, projectors, a library, a mimeograph and recreational kits, under the red headline 'FOR TROOPS OVERSEAS'. The technique is faint; the sheet lists only the provisions made for troops, which is card-stacking by selection. One photograph shows entertainers in blackface.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1943
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- U.S. War Department, Special Service Division (inferred from the manual covers shown; no issuer is printed on the sheet)
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Military
- Regime
- Roosevelt Administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Audience
- Mixed
- Purpose
- Reassure
- Themes
- War and the military, Home front
- 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)
U.S. War Department, Special Service Division. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-812 (NAID 514307).
Text on the object
FOR TROOPS OVERSEAS SPECIAL SERVICE UNITS These are self-contained organizations designed to provide troops overseas with recreational facilities. These Units are made up of 5 officers and 109 enlisted men. Units travel in nine trucks, five trailers, and a jeep. Trained mechanics and mobile repair outfits keep trucks running. Each has four canteens that can be operated separately, or as a single unit. Motion-picture technicians and 16-mm. projectors bring movies close to the front. Musical instruments are available for the unit or visited organizations. Theatrical kits provide for the unit or for talent in visited organizations. [chart:] SPECIAL SERVICE COMPANY T/O 38-17 April [day illegible], 1943 Enlisted Men 109 Officers 5 COMPANY HEADQUARTERS 1 Captain 1 1st Sgt. [code illegible] 1 S.Sgt. Ass't [code illegible] 1 S.Sgt. Motor [code illegible] 1 S.Sgt. Supply [code illegible] 1 Cpl. (Co. Clerk) [code illegible] 1 Clerk, Supply [code illegible] 1 Clerk, Typist [code illegible] 1 Mechanic, General [code illegible] 1 Mechanic, Motor [code illegible] 1 Stenographer [code illegible] 1 Truck Driver [code illegible] 1 Truck Driver [code illegible] 1 Basic [code illegible] [the same roster, in four columns, for each of four platoons; entries as in one column below, trade codes illegible at this size] PLATOON HEADQUARTERS 1 1st. Lieutenant 1 S.Sgt. [code illegible] 1 Basic [code illegible] SERVICE SECTION 1 Athletic Technician 1 Clerk, Supply 1 Dup. Machine Operator 1 Librarian 1 Mot. Pict. Equip. Rep'man 1 Music Technician [1 or more] Projectionists 1 Radio Technician 1 Theatrical Technician 1 Truck Driver, Light CANTEEN AND EXCHANGE SECTION 1 Sgt. (Store Manager) [number illegible] Cpls. (Store Manager) 4 Sales Clerks 1 Cook 1 Cook 1 Cook's Helper 1 Basic Mimeographs are carried for publishing bulletins or organizational newspapers. Sufficient athletic equipment is available for recreational use of a division. [document covers, small print:] WAR DEPARTMENT TECHNICAL MANUAL SPECIAL SERVICE OFFICERS TM 21-[number illegible]; SPECIAL SERVICE UNIT TRAINING GUIDE; SS UNIT; [remaining small print illegible] A library is carried to supplement the books in organizations served. Four pianos are carried to provide musical entertainment for separate groups. Skilled as entertainers, these men can entertain or train others as entertainers. Complete public-address system for amplifying broadcasts, recordings, and talks. Equipment is especially designed to fit trucks and stand rough usage. If desirable, even pianos can be moved well up into defense positions. KITS ISSUED TO TROOPS Upon embarkation for overseas, troops are issued recreational kits. These kits are issued, one of each kind, to every 50 men. The "A" kit includes equipment for baseball, volley ball, deck tennis, and boxing. The "F" kit includes games that may be played on shipboard or indoors after landing. The "B" kit includes a phonograph and records, short wave radio, and 100 books. [imprint:] U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : [number illegible] [on a trunk in one photograph:] U.S.A.
