US careless talk poster of a dog with a sailor's uniform, waiting for his return

The United States Office of War Information (OWI) was created on June 13, 1942, to centralize and control the content and production of government information and propaganda about the war. It coordinated the release of war news for domestic use, and using posters along with radio broadcasts, worked to promote patriotism, warn about foreign spies, and recruit women into war work. The office also established an overseas branch, which launched a large-scale information and propaganda campaign abroad. The government appealed to the public through popular culture and more than a quarter of a billion dollars' worth of advertising was donated during the first three years of the National Defense Savings Program. Victory in Europe was declared on May 8, 1945, and in Japan on September 2, 1945. The OWI ceased operation in September. 

The poster was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1988 by David and Zelda Silberman. 

US careless talk poster of a dog with a sailor's uniform, waiting for his return 

overall: Height: 27.875 inches (70.803 cm) | Width: 20.000 inches (50.8 cm) 

US careless talk poster with a cocker spaniel's head upon a sailor's navy dress blue collar with a Gold Star service flag to warn people that their behavior can get service personnel killed. The gold star on the flag indicates a family member died in war. Public requests for this poster broke all previous records. The careless talk series of US propaganda posters began as an Army Services project, distributed by the Office of War Information, which was created in June 1942, to manage the war on the Home Front. OWI controlled the design and distribution of war information to the American public in posters, photographs, radio shows, and films. The careless talk series originated in 1940 in Great Britain. It highlighted the many ways that careless talk could leak sensitive information that our enemies would use to kill soldiers, sink ships, and undermine the war effort. 

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Offset lithographic poster in subdued colors depicting a sad looking, red cocker spaniel with its head resting on a white striped, navy dress blue collar with 2 stars spread over the back of a blue easy chair. On the gray/blue wall behind the dog hangs a white service flag with a gold star and red border. The title is in large white text at the bottom. The artist’s name WESLEY 43 is printed within the image.