Pershing on the YMCA: United War Work Campaign, November 11-18, 1918
A sepia portrait of General John J. Pershing in uniform sits beneath the YMCA red triangle logo, above a quotation praising the YMCA's service to the army in France and supporting its appeal for funds. The tell of testimonial is the commanding general's name and likeness lending his authority to a charity's fundraising drive.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- November 1918
- Period
- First World War
- Made by
- Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), United War Work Campaign
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- NGO
- Regime
- Wilson Administration
- Leader
- Woodrow Wilson
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Fundraise
- Themes
- War and the military, Religion
- 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
Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), United War Work Campaign. National Archives and Records Administration, 4-P-171.
Text on the object
YMCA [portrait signature, lower right: S. J. Woolf, March-1918, Paris, with a copyright mark] CABLED FROM FRANCE AUGUST 21st, 1918 "A sense of obligation for the varied and useful service rendered to the army in France by the Y. M. C. A. prompts me to join in the appeal for its further financial support. I have opportunity to observe its operations, measure the quality of its personnel and mark its beneficial influence upon our troops, and I wish unreservedly to commend its work for the Army." Pershing UNITED WAR WORK CAMPAIGN NOVEMBER 11-18, 1918
Portrait signature read as 'S. J. Woolf / March-1918 / Paris' (handwritten, partly legible). A tiny credit line at the lower left below the portrait is [illegible]. NARA's title omits the final sentence of the quotation ('I wish unreservedly to commend its work for the Army'), which is printed in red.
