Most memorable military-related "stenciling, nose art, graffiti, or semi-official mural?"

2014-02-04T19:07:22-05:00

<p>At some point, somewhere along the line, we've all seen it, maybe it was an example of good "old school" military graffiti or maybe it was military "nose art" or perhaps a unit mural of some sort. Whatever "it" was, in many ways it is reflective of its time, helps to tell the story of its generation, and is instrumental in defining a generation and culture. Other examples could have been on a piece of gear or vehicle, in a training environment or manual, in a deployed location, or perhaps it was official artwork of some sort... or something unique and different altogether... it could've been a classic from another era, from an important location, or represents a significant or historic event.  So, was the message profound or did it make you laugh? Make you pause to think? ...or perhaps it was just plain funny. Whatever it was, please feel free to add a photo, a link, a description, or anything needed to tell your story... just a couple simple rules, please try to keep it clean, and of course display respect for all members at all times. I'm sure that this will be great fun, so what are we waiting for... let's get this thing started! Thank you for all that you do, I look forward to hearing your awesome stories, and... see you all in the discussion threads!</p><p> </p><p> </p>

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2014 7:43 PM

2014-02-04T19:43:21-05:00

MAJ Burns,

The originator of the "KILROY WAS HERE" appears to have been James J. Kilroy (1902-1962) hired as an inspector by Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, MA on 12/5/1941 two days before the Pearl Harbor attack. Simply put, this was the chalk mark he drew to certify work often in the most inaccessible areas of ship construction. His artwork appeared on numerous ships including the USS Massachusetts (battleship), USS Lexington (carrier), and USS Baltimore (cruiser). Millions of service men saw his mark on their outgoing ships and knew Kilroy had been there first. Indeed, the mark was applied in places no ordinary graffiti artist could reach, such as sealed hull spaces, which fueled the question if Kilroy could leave his mark there, who knew what else he could do? As a joke, they began placing the graffiti wherever the US forces went, claiming it was already there when they arrived. Kilroy was the Super-GI who always got there first - wherever GI's went. It became a challenge to place the logo in the most unlikely places. It was said to be atop Mt. Everest, the Statue of Liberty, the underside of the Arch de Triumphe, and scrawled in the dust on the moon. By one account, a private outhouse was built for the use of Truman, Stalin, and Churchill at the Potsdam Conference. The first person to use it was Joseph Stalin. When he emerged he asked an aide "Who is Kilroy?" Although the popularity of Kilroy peaked in the 1950s his mark has been found scrawled in many obscure places including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Warmest Regards, Sandy

Photo: KILROY WAS HERE outside a private residence in Abbottabad, Pakistan

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2014 7:43 PM

2014-02-04T19:43:22-05:00

"KILROY WAS HERE."

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2014 8:01 PM

2014-02-04T20:01:35-05:00

Here's a favorite of mine... I stumbled upon this in a field latrine in SWA, I'm not exactly sure why, but for some reason this one struck my funny bone... somehow, it seemed even funnier in person, but for some reason it's still funny... yes, honesty rules! :)

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2014 10:41 PM

2014-02-04T22:41:52-05:00

 <div class="clear"></div><div class="clear"></div><div class="response_body" id="response_49267"><div>Here's a great submission pulled from another thread that applies quite directly to this topic, its from SGT Oliver Mathews, and is a gem that he literally got out of a Port-a-John in 2005:  </div><div> </div><div>"I serve for those i do not know, and if i die i die for those i love."<br><br>He said that the quote was something close to that, although it's been almost a decade since he saw it...  Outstanding submission, really provides a sense of what folks were thinking or going through in the moment... Thanks SGT Mathews, great "mil-graf" find!</div></div>

Response by Lt Col Luis A. Rojas made Feb 4 at 2014 11:23 PM

2014-02-04T23:23:49-05:00

Being a former Minuteman II Missile Launch Officer during the final years of the Cold War, this one has been one of my favorites.  A structure that looks like a house near the town of Wall, South Dakota, has a steel-runged ladder which leads down a 30-foot concrete access shaft. At the bottom, a massive, eight-ton steel-and-concrete door is painted the red, white and blue image of a Domino’s Pizza box, with a slightly altered phrasing of the chain’s familiar promise: “World-wide Delivery in 30 Minutes or Less; Or Your Next One is Free.” But in this case the “Next One” is a Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). For almost three decades, the house was the “Delta One” Launch Control Facility (LCF) for ten Minuteman missiles armed with nuclear warheads. The massive blast door was designed to ensure that the underground launch control center survived a nuclear attack.<br>

Response by SFC James Baber made Feb 8 at 2014 8:44 AM

2014-02-08T08:44:57-05:00

I dug through some of my old deployment photos and found a few choice ones from OIF I and III, I will try and dig up some others, enjoy.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2014 9:05 PM

2014-02-08T21:05:38-05:00

Nose Art

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2014 10:36 PM

2014-02-28T22:36:00-05:00

There's some great stuff here. How did we lose this awesomeness? But, oh wait, now the SHARP cadre are after me! Thanks a lot, SIR!

WWII Airplane Nose Art | Pinterest

Explore Casey Purpus's hand-picked collection of Pins about WWII Airplane Nose Art on Pinterest. | See more about nose art, vintage metal signs and planes.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2014 8:50 AM

2014-03-04T08:50:02-05:00

I took this pic from a landing pad on FOB Salerno, RC East.

Response by SGT Gary Frank made Mar 4 at 2014 8:18 PM

2014-03-04T20:18:56-05:00

There are many Great examples of Military Graffiti/Art, but I think the BEST of the BEST is Kilroy

Response by CPT Mike B Martinez Ramirez made Mar 5 at 2014 3:32 PM

2014-03-05T15:32:50-05:00

My first deployment.

Response by CWO2 Shelby DuBois made Mar 5 at 2014 3:56 PM

2014-03-05T15:56:47-05:00

A crawfish.... found in some hidden area of ones aircraft where a certain group of cajuns had either looked or procured a piece of flight gear from someone elses plane... or so I'm told... cannot confirm nor deny....

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2014 5:05 PM

2014-03-05T17:05:54-05:00

Only in Baghdad! No, that is not me.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Mar 5 at 2014 6:19 PM

2014-03-05T18:19:05-05:00

My platoon in Vietnam (1st tour) was the Battalion Reaction Force. During the Tet Offensive, we were sent to an ammo dump that contained some special munitions. We acquired an APC M113 from somewhere and my guys painted WAR LORD on the gun turret. It stuck and my unofficial call sign became War Lord. I was touched by the gesture.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2014 9:20 PM

2014-03-05T21:20:54-05:00

Baqubah, Iraq 2006-2008

Response by CWO2 Shelby DuBois made Mar 6 at 2014 9:24 AM

2014-03-06T09:24:46-05:00

There was a price to pay for landing on the wrong carrier... A message was always sent back with the unfortunate crew.

Response by SSgt James Stanley made Mar 10 at 2014 5:52 PM

2014-03-10T17:52:58-04:00

Unit mural of my first assignment.

Response by SSgt James Stanley made Mar 10 at 2014 6:10 PM

2014-03-10T18:10:18-04:00

Command patch of my last three units.

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Mar 10 at 2014 7:48 PM

2014-03-10T19:48:57-04:00

In 1990, our crew reapplied non-skid to the deck of our 41' UTB and painstakingly recreated the 200th anniversary Coast Guard logo on the engine hatch covers. This is a shot of the tape coming off part of the design. We were going to paint the design in color, but regs only allowed gray and black. The whole crew worked for over a week on the project and we really came together as a team doing it. I don't think I have ever seen a more detailed design completed in non-skid.

Response by SSG Mark Payton made Mar 10 at 2014 11:37 PM

2014-03-10T23:37:16-04:00

I enlisted into the Army right out of college as an Art major. So as you can guess I was tapped quite often to contribute artwork for my unit. The biggest project I did was designing 7 regimental crests for the Texas State Guard when they converted from groups to regiments in the 90's. They still use those crests today. I went on to design vehicle decals for several units and one for a Navy cruiser. I still carry with me some of the original artwork. Having been in service I now do a mix of that and artwork for portraits and military awards and such that can been seen on my blog through the link to my commisions at: mpgraphicillustration.blogspot.com Here are the ones I carry on my computer

Response by SGT Gary Frank made Mar 11 at 2014 12:35 AM

2014-03-11T00:35:58-04:00

I don't have a photo of it, but when I was in Korea my NCOIC task me to paint a refrigerator[OD Green] that we had in our office. We had been working at our facility for 3 weeks straight, 12 hours shifts.

Long story short, he got more than what he had asked for because I camouflaged the Fridge. The Patterns were a collage of silhouetted Nude Women in various positions....All very tasteful. To my knowledge, no one painted over my artwork....LOL

I wish I did have a picture of it.
362 Sig. Co, S.Korea 82-83

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Mar 11 at 2014 12:39 AM

2014-03-11T00:39:05-04:00

My first deployment to OEF 1 in January 2002 to Kandahar produced lots of Russian aircraft parts with unit stuff on it and then this print I drew for the battalion commander to capture a point in time!

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2014 1:13 AM

2014-03-23T01:13:16-04:00

I have no picture but the porta-john bandit located at dust bowl, NTC, during feb-march of 2010 he was hilarious

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Mar 24 at 2014 8:44 PM

2014-03-24T20:44:17-04:00

AC-130

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Mar 24 at 2014 9:00 PM

2014-03-24T21:00:46-04:00

Hurricane Katrina Markings

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 25 at 2014 2:36 AM

2014-03-25T02:36:40-04:00

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= [login to see] 10&set=a [login to see] [login to see] [login to see] &type=3&theater

Facebook

Response by PO2 Mark Zawadzki made Mar 25 at 2014 8:09 AM

2014-03-25T08:09:58-04:00

Piedmont (AD-17 ) mascot was designed by Walt Disney. I was aboard 1980-81

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2014 11:50 PM

2014-03-25T23:50:26-04:00

Scania from in 04 & 05 was a Graffiti heaven. The entire camp's jersey barriers, mortars walls, and ECP's, were all tagged with someones name, or unit. :)

Response by TSgt Phillip L. made Mar 26 at 2014 1:04 AM

2014-03-26T01:04:08-04:00

Came across a re-creation of this, in color, and actually better. On a ramp in Bagram.....not mentioning who did it, it wasn't me. :D

http://www.stripes.com/polopoly_fs/1.23 [login to see] 591!/image/ [login to see] .jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_804/ [login to see] .jpg

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 2:04 AM

2014-03-26T02:04:05-04:00

In Florida Phase of Ranger School in October of 2012 "Invictus" was etched into the walls of one of the Latrines. My buddy pointed it out to me. We had it memorized by the time we went to the field. We repeated the poem to one another when we were sucking. It may be my favorite piece of literature. The first stanza got me through. Whatever Ranger Student wrote it there may well have helped me earn my tab.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Apr 10 at 2014 10:49 PM

2014-04-10T22:49:12-04:00

During Viet Nam, FTA was a favored autograph on anything it could be applied to. The general meaning was f*** the army, and one day one of our young stalwart heroes scrawled FTA on the back on the deuce and a half as we were being moved out. An LT jumped in the truck, demanded the young soldier's name so he could charge him, then asked him why he wrote it. Our hero simply replied it's for Follow the Airborne, sir? Why are you so upset? The LT was suddenly interested by some other project that needed his immediate attention.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Apr 10 at 2014 10:54 PM

2014-04-10T22:54:21-04:00

I was told that when President Johnson flew unexpectedly into Fort Bragg to give a fiery speech like Eisenhower did before D-Day, the 3rd Brigade was out on Sicily DZ with a major party. Not wanting to disappoint the President, the 1st Brigade was brought in to listen to the President, whereupon the C-130's were loaded and flew off for the President, and circled until he left so they could land.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2014 4:22 PM

2014-04-12T16:22:20-04:00

Entrance to the E.R. at the 332nd EMDG at Balad AB, 2007.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2014 4:44 PM

2014-04-12T16:44:23-04:00

Here was ours.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Apr 12 at 2014 4:52 PM

2014-04-12T16:52:38-04:00

NTC Painted Rocks

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2014 5:30 PM

2014-04-12T17:30:28-04:00

Stay classy...

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Apr 12 at 2014 11:23 PM

2014-04-12T23:23:57-04:00

I saw this before getting on a flight from Kabul to Kandahar.....if you also know the meaning, you know exactly why I took the photo!

Response by SSG Mark Payton made Apr 30 at 2014 12:16 PM

2014-04-30T12:16:52-04:00

Here is one I designed. It was a decal that I printed facing both directions so it could be placed on both sides of a vehicle. It went over to Afghanistan and was on several Humvees. I design this kind of stuff all the time as well as doing portraits. Went to college as an art major before enlisting in the army

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made Apr 30 at 2014 3:32 PM

2014-04-30T15:32:52-04:00

This wall at FOB Warrior in Kirkuk, Iraq made of 22 concrete barriers had the names of all 4,488 service members killed in OIF. It was hand painted by Soldiers of 1/1 CD and 1/1 AD as well as Airman from the 506th AEG. The oppressive size of this wall will take your breath away. The first time I saw it, really saw all the names, it choked me up pretty bad, and at that time we hadn't finished writing the names. The sheer enormity of the fallen, quantified in hand painted yellow letters across those barriers brought OIF into sharp focus.

On 9/11/2010, we added the last names and read them aloud in a ceremony rendering honors for our fallen. I narrated the ceremony and it was one of the most emotional things I've ever done. I worked to reach out to units to ensure I pronounced the names correctly. Though a vast majority of the names I read were of people no one present knew, it was very important to me to do it right.

We made efforts to bring the wall home but the Dept. of Agriculture shut that idea down because of 'possible soil contamination.’ We even reached out to congress but no one cared. Honestly, I think there would be no more appropriate monument for the Iraq war than this one, made by service members on the ubiquitous Iraq concrete barrier. They should have sealed the concrete, shipped it home, and put it on the national mall as is. Such is life.

Last I heard, it was going to be sandblasted to keep Iraqis from defacing it before the final pull out. As someone who has entirely too many friends on that wall, this is a source of pain for me. I tried and tired to get someone to do something to save it.

I did succeed in getting the Associated Press to do a story about it.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2014 9:56 PM

2014-05-04T21:56:51-04:00

Any graffiti I have put up on base has been based on unit pride. There was a rock that used to be the maintenance group rock. It was decorated accordingly. When we upgraded to a larger rock the operations group adopted it.
I had not seen it for a long time. A couple years ago I saw it and recognized it, but it had no unit decoration on it. Instead it had a "WV" on it. I got to work quickly. If the OG didn't have any unit pride I would demonstrate it for them. I made a stencil "91 MXG" and painted their rock. Whenever there err I return and demonstrate unit pride to them.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made May 16 at 2014 2:03 PM

2014-05-16T14:03:55-04:00

I wish I had a picture of it...

Basic training, July 1989, Ft Jackson, SC... 8-71 Infantry training.

Drill Sergeant told us not to drop one of those glass bottles of leather dye for boots. He told the whole formation that it would stain the concrete and you would spend every free moment scrubbing until it was clean or you graduated.

PV1 Griffin dropped his around week 4. You should have seen the look of horror on his face. He scrubbed for weeks. They tried every chemical concoction known to man. Finally the last week of training they painted over the stain with the unit seal.

I wish I had a picture of it....

Ft Eustis, VA early '90. Turbine Engine / boat school. I was company guidon bearer. Front and center of the formation area was a sign that read "Echo the best, leading the rest." but from my unique vantage point I could just make out that "Leading" was painted over what the sign had originally said... "Hell with"

I wish I had a picture...

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2014 5:06 PM

2014-05-25T17:06:18-04:00

This is a really interesting video entitled "On Broken Wings," in it you will notice several murals from our military past, the video is provided courtesy of TSgt Kohler and you can check it out here: http://artofabandonment.com/2014/05/chanute/

Also, you can tune into the discussion thread here: http://www.rallypoint.com/answers/do-you-like-art-related-to-military-places-here-is-a-discovery-i-just-had-this-morning-on-broken-wings-chanute-air-force-base

"On Broken Wings" - Chanute Air Force Base

(Above) Postcard images used courtesy of Wikipedia. Chanute Air Force base was named in honor of Octave Chanute (1862-1910) who was a friend and adviser to the Wright Brothers. Chanute Air...

Response by PO2 Maxwell Jones made Jul 13 at 2014 8:00 PM

2014-07-13T20:00:47-04:00

Our brow banner for our submarine had "USS Boise, Submarine Squadron 8" except they spelled Squadron Squardon. It became a running joke to us. At one point our IT guy (all one of them) realized that we had figured out how to change the dictionary in Microsoft Office to auto-correct to Squardon.

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Nov 2 at 2014 11:54 AM

2014-11-02T11:54:23-05:00

I LOVE THE LOOK OF THE B-17 BOMBER AND I LOVED THE MOVIE THE MEMHIS BELLE...
MY FAVORITE SCENE WAS SEEING ALL THAT NOSE ART AS THEY WERE GETTING READY TO FLY THEIR LAST MISSION...

Response by PO3 Ben Wallace made Jan 7 at 2015 5:59 PM

2015-01-07T17:59:49-05:00

My first ship was an Amphibious Assault Ship,USS Nassau LHA-4,on the EP2 panel in the gunroom we had some characters from Bloom County,a news paper cartoon,painted on them.Bill the Cat.....Steve Dallas.The CO got a kick out of it.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 9:24 PM

2015-01-09T21:24:08-05:00

My favorite stenciling was found on the inner hatches of the VLS tubes on the USS Alexandria (SSN 757). I had the idea to have the helmet from our crest painted on the underside and my Chief got it to happen. It was the helmet silhouette in black on a golden-yellow background. I was pretty proud when it was done because it looked really sharp.