“The Japs aren’t as cross-eyed as you think.” – Revere Copper and Brass Incorporated
This is a poster of Chief Signalman Willard A. Murphy, one of the four sailors who survived a Japanese attack. In a naval infantry of 80 men, only 5% survived a shell bombing.
Chief Signalman Murphy is a hero, and it’s good that Revere Copper and Brass Incorporated is finding ways to support the country’s returning disabled servicemen. However, the company took advantage of the officer’s experience and statements to help sell war bonds that finance the building of ships.
In this nationalistic yet racist ad, it made the Japanese appear inferior with their “cross-eyed” appearance, but they were also portrayed as amoral and devious. The ad also referenced to the Lord being on the white man’s side, blessed with ingenuity and initiative that the other nations lacked.