---
title: 'Weapons for Liberty: U.S.A. Bonds, Third Liberty Loan Campaign (Boy Scouts of America)'
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/weapons-for-liberty-usa-bonds-third-liberty-loan-1918/
description: A helmeted figure of Columbia with a shield bearing the American eagle stands behind a kneeling Boy Scout who holds up a sword inscribed 'Be Prepared'.
section: Collection
---

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3. Weapons for Liberty: U.S.A. Bonds, Third Liberty Loan Campaign

[![Weapons for Liberty: U.S.A. Bonds, Third Liberty Loan Campaign, 1918 US poster: A helmeted figure of Columbia with a shield](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/weapons-for-liberty-usa-bonds-third-liberty-loan-1918.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/weapons-for-liberty-usa-bonds-third-liberty-loan-1918.jpg)

# Weapons for Liberty: U.S.A. Bonds, Third Liberty Loan Campaign (Boy Scouts of America)

A helmeted figure of Columbia with a shield bearing the American eagle stands behind a kneeling Boy Scout who holds up a sword inscribed 'Be Prepared', beneath the words 'U.S.A. Bonds'. The panel text names the Third Liberty Loan campaign and the Boy Scouts of America, and the base reads 'Weapons for Liberty'. The tell is transfer: the national allegory and the sword carry their dignity to the purchase of bonds and to the boy's role in selling them.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Transfer](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/transfer/) [Glittering generalities](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/glittering-generalities/)

## Text on the object

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

```
U·S·A BONDS

Third
Liberty Loan
Campaign
BOY SCOUTS
OF AMERICA

[sword inscription:] Be prepared

WEAPONS FOR LIBERTY

[artist's signature at lower right, lettered: Leyendecker]
AMERICAN LITHOGRAPHIC CO. N.Y.
```

The small patch on the scout's shirt (Boy Scouts of America) is too small to read in full and is not transcribed.

[← We Violated the Regulations of the Food Administration but Have Pledged Full Obedience in the Future](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/we-violated-the-regulations-of-the-food-administration-1918/) [Wear Your Honor Button: 4th Liberty Loan Bonds →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/wear-your-fourth-liberty-loan-honor-button-1918/)

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