---
title: Tell it to the Marines
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/tell-it-to-the-marines-wake-island-1942/
description: 'Cartoon poster: a faint, heroic Marine with bayonet labelled ''The spirit of Wake Island against overwhelming odds'' stands behind a small, grimacing.'
section: Collection
---

1. [Home](https://propagandaarchive.org/)
2. [Collection](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/)
3. Tell it to the Marines

**Content note:** Cartoon caricature of a Japanese officer with exaggerated teeth and glasses, as printed in 1940s U.S. wartime propaganda. This object is shown as it was published. [Why](https://propagandaarchive.org/about/#as-it-was)

[![Tell it to the Marines, 1942 US poster: Cartoon poster](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/tell-it-to-the-marines-wake-island-1942.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/tell-it-to-the-marines-wake-island-1942.jpg)

# Tell it to the Marines

Cartoon poster: a faint, heroic Marine with bayonet labelled 'The spirit of Wake Island against overwhelming odds' stands behind a small, grimacing, fist-raising Japanese officer drawn as a caricature with exaggerated teeth and glasses. The officer's speech balloon claims 'America can be invaded and we'll dictate peace in Washington'. The poster uses name-calling by caricature and the Marine's courage as a general virtue, set against an invented enemy boast.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Name-calling](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/name-calling/) [Glittering generalities](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/glittering-generalities/)

## Text on the object

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

```
"TELL IT TO THE MARINES"
THE SPIRIT OF WAKE ISLAND
AGAINST OVER[illegible]WHELMING ODDS
AMERICA CAN
BE INVADED
AND WE'LL
DICTATE PEACE
IN WASHINGTON
[signature: Plaschke]
[imprint: MCPB 98344 3-19-42 500]
```

[← Take your place in the ranks](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/take-your-place-in-the-ranks-army-1942/) ['The enemy listens. Your words are his weapons.' (Australian careless-talk poster) →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/the-enemy-listens-your-words-are-his-weapons-australia-1942/)

## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

- [Behistun (Bisotun) rock relief and trilingual inscription of Darius I: the king, two attendants and the bound rebel leaders beneath the winged figure of Ahuramazda](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/behistun-relief-darius-and-rebels-521bce/) (Achaemenid Empire · 0000 · Card stacking, Name-calling, Testimonial). Content note: Shows bound captives before the king, and the inscription records the mutilation and public execution of rebel leaders, as the king's own account.
- [Passional Christi und Antichristi: the emperor kisses the pope's foot (leaf 'Antichristus')](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/passional-christi-antichristi-emperor-kisses-pope-1521/) (Electoral Saxony · 1521 · Name-calling, Card stacking)
- [Anacoana fut pendue sans raison (engraving in Le miroir de la cruelle et horrible tyrannie espagnole)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/anacoana-hanged-miroir-tyrannie-espagnole-1620/) (Dutch Republic · 1620 · Fear appeal, Name-calling). Content note: Engraving of a hanged, bare-breasted Taino woman, burning huts and people being killed by Spanish soldiers.
- [Ondersoeckt de Geesten, ofse van den Duyvel syn, of niet (the De Witt brothers as devils)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/ondersoeckt-de-geesten-de-witt-devils-1672/) (Dutch Republic · 1672 · Scapegoating, Name-calling)
- [The Highlanders Medley, or The Duke Triumphant (A Loyal Song)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/highlanders-medley-duke-triumphant-1746/) (Great Britain · 1746 · Name-calling, Transfer)
- [The North Briton, No. XLV, 23 April 1763 (John Wilkes), opening page](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/north-briton-no-45-wilkes-1763/) (Kingdom of Great Britain · Apr 23, 1763 · Name-calling)
- [The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street Boston on March 5th 1770 by a party of the 29th Regt.](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/revere-bloody-massacre-king-street-1770/) (Province of Massachusetts Bay · Mar 1770 · Name-calling, Card stacking). Content note: Hand-coloured engraving of bloodied dead and wounded colonists after soldiers fired on a crowd.
- [Marche du Dom Quichotte moderne pour la deffence du Moulin des Abus (March of the Modern Don Quixote in Defence of the Mill of Abuses)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/dom-quichotte-moulin-des-abus-1791/) (France · 1791 · Name-calling, Transfer)