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One sheet 1943 World War II recruitment poster for the SPARS, the women's branch of the United States Coast Guard Reserve.
Designed by artist J. Valentin, the poster features a poised SPAR officer in full dress uniform offering a salute. In the background, a modern Coast Guard cutter is juxtaposed with a historical image of a pioneer woman with a musket and a covered wagon, symbolizing the long history of women's courage and contribution to the nation.
Key Facts About the SPARS
Meaning: The name is an acronym for the Coast Guard motto, "Semper Paratus—Always Ready".
Purpose: Established in November 1942, the SPARS were created to "free a man to fight" by taking over essential shore-based roles, allowing more men to serve at sea.
Service: Between 1942 and 1946, more than 10,000 women volunteered. While many held clerical roles as "yeomen" or "storekeepers," others served in technical positions as radio operators, air traffic controllers, and even in the top-secret LORAN navigation program.
Trailblazers: Notable members included Dorothy C. Stratton, the first director of the SPARS, and Olivia Hooker, the first African American woman to enlist in the Coast Guard. |
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