1943 SPARS - Serve with the Women's Reserve - U.S. Coast Guard
DESCRIPTION
This vivid World War II recruitment poster was illustrated by Lester W. Bentley around 1943 to promote enlistment in the SPARS, the Women’s Reserve of the United States Coast Guard.
A poised young woman in Coast Guard uniform stands proudly in the foreground, her expression calm and resolute. Behind her, a Coast Guard flag billows dramatically beside the American flag, reinforcing the sense of patriotism and duty. Her hat bears the label “U.S. Coast Guard,” and the rigging of a ship subtly rises behind her, symbolizing the maritime service these women would support.
The SPARS—an acronym formed from the Coast Guard’s motto "Semper Paratus – Always Ready Service," was established in late 1942 to enable women to serve in non-combat roles within the Coast Guard during World War II. These women took on vital tasks such as clerical work, communications, and logistics, thereby freeing male personnel for sea duty and combat operations. The program mirrored similar efforts in other branches, like the Navy’s WAVES and the Army’s WACs, and represented a significant step forward for women in military service.
Lester W. Bentley was an illustrator who served in the Coast Guard during WWII. His composition presents the SPAR not simply as a service member, but as a patriotic symbol, merging traditional American values with modern wartime responsibility. The clean lines, strong posture, and proud backdrop convey confidence, national pride, and a call to action. Posters like this helped shape public perception and played a critical role in encouraging women to contribute to the war effort through honorable and essential service.
Inventory #92301
CONDITION
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