Forensic Research Archive of Manipulation and Exploitation
In the face of obstacles - Courage. Infantry. United States Army., 1943 US poster: Army Infantry poster in a series

In the face of obstacles - Courage. Infantry. United States Army.

Army Infantry poster in a series on soldierly qualities: three helmeted soldiers firing a machine gun through smoke and flying earth, with 'COURAGE' picked out in red in the headline. The abstract virtue is attached to the infantryman's image (glittering generalities), and the Infantry crossed-rifles badge is shown at both lower corners.

Propaganda techniques used in this poster

Glittering generalitiesTransfer
Date
1943
Period
Second World War
Made by
U.S. Army (War Department), art by Schlaikjer
Region
North America
Country
United States
Medium
Poster
Issuer type
Military
Regime
Roosevelt Administration
Leader
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Audience
Mixed
Purpose
Recruit
Theme
War and the military
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. Army. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-142 (NAID 513590).

Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

In the face of obstacles ~ COURAGE
[signature: Schlaikjer 1943]
[imprint: WAR DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. – remainder illegible]
INFANTRY
UNITED STATES ARMY

More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

Gypsum alabaster slab inscribed in cuneiform, from Nimrud (Kalhu), reign of Ashurnasirpal IINeo Assyrian EmpireGypsum alabaster slab inscribed in cuneiform, from Nimrud (Kalhu), reign of Ashurnasirpal II0000 · Transfer, Glittering generalitiesColour lithograph of the Latin text of the Res Gestae Divi Augusti on the wall of the temple of Roma and Augustus at Ancyra, with the heading in large letters (Perrot, Guillaume and Delbet, 1872)Roman EmpireColour lithograph of the Latin text of the Res Gestae Divi Augusti on the wall of the temple of Roma and Augustus at Ancyra, with the heading in large letters (Perrot, Guillaume and Delbet, 1872)0014 · Card stacking, Glittering generalitiesBronze sestertius of Trajan, reverse S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S C, the emperor on horseback riding down an enemyRoman EmpireBronze sestertius of Trajan, reverse S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S C, the emperor on horseback riding down an enemy0103 · Testimonial, Glittering generalitiesGold solidus of Constantine I, reverse RESTITVTORI LIBERTATISRoman EmpireGold solidus of Constantine I, reverse RESTITVTORI LIBERTATIS0313 · Glittering generalitiesGold solidus of Justinian I, reverse VICTORIA AVGGG with Victory holding a Christogram staffByzantine EmpireGold solidus of Justinian I, reverse VICTORIA AVGGG with Victory holding a Christogram staff0538 · Transfer, Glittering generalitiesThe Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I (Royal Museums Greenwich version), oil on panelEnglandThe Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I (Royal Museums Greenwich version), oil on panel1588 · Transfer, Glittering generalitiesMedal of Elizabeth I: portrait in a ruff, reverse an ark on stormy waves with SAEVAS TRANQVILLA PER VNDAS (18th-century aftercast of a 1588 model)EnglandMedal of Elizabeth I: portrait in a ruff, reverse an ark on stormy waves with SAEVAS TRANQVILLA PER VNDAS (18th-century aftercast of a 1588 model)1588 · Transfer, Glittering generalitiesFrontispiece to Eikon Basilike, The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie in his Solitudes and Sufferings (Hollar, 1649)Dutch RepublicFrontispiece to Eikon Basilike, The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie in his Solitudes and Sufferings (Hollar, 1649)1649 · Transfer, Glittering generalities