These Boys Will Look Up to You: Tell Them What It Means to Be an American Soldier
An officer with his back to the viewer speaks to three boys, one of whom he holds by the tie, within a red circle. The caption speaks to soldiers, telling them that boys will watch them and that they should explain what being an American soldier means. The tell is the fusion of the soldier's personal conduct with a national role, set as a duty owed to the young.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1917
- Period
- First World War
- Made by
- Service Series No. 14 (issuer not printed); Gordon Grant (artist)
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- State
- Regime
- Wilson Administration
- Leader
- Woodrow Wilson
- Audience
- Own forces
- Purpose
- Mobilize or secure compliance
- Themes
- War and the military, Home front
- 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
Service Series No. 14. National Archives and Records Administration, 4-P-270.
Text on the object
SERVICE SERIES No. 14 These Boys Will Look Up To You Tell Them What It Means To Be An American Soldier Gordon Grant Capt. U.S.A.
