KILROY WAS HERE!

Photo Credit: Luis Rubio from Alexandria, VA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The phrase "Kilroy was here," accompanied by a doodle of a bald-headed man peeking over a wall, became a popular piece of graffiti among American troops during World War II. The story behind this iconic phrase is quite fascinating.

Origin of "Kilroy Was Here"

James J. Kilroy, a shipyard inspector at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, is credited with starting the "Kilroy was here" phenomenon. During the war, Kilroy would mark sections of ships he had inspected with the phrase "Kilroy was here" to indicate his work. This practice was meant to prevent riveters from claiming they had done more work than they actually had ^[1].

The 1946 Contest

In 1946, the American Transit Association sponsored a nationwide contest through its radio program "Speak to America" to find the real Kilroy. The prize was a real trolley car. The contest was widely promoted, and nearly 40 men claimed to be the genuine Kilroy ^[2]. James J. Kilroy from Halifax, Massachusetts, won the contest by providing evidence that he had indeed written the phrase on ships during his inspections ^[2].

Evidence and Contest Promotion

James Kilroy proved his authenticity by taking contest officials to the Fore River Shipyard, where he showed them the places he had inscribed "Kilroy was here." His markings included the cartoon character peering over a wall ^[2].

Spread of the Graffiti

American soldiers quickly adopted Kilroy's practice, and the graffiti spread across various theaters of war. The phrase and doodle became a morale booster and a symbol of American presence. It was often found in the most unexpected places, including on the walls of bombed-out buildings, latrines, and even on the Berlin Wall ^[1][3].

The Joke and Its Impact

The joke about the slogan's appearance was that no matter where American troops went, they would find "Kilroy was here" already written, suggesting that Kilroy had been there first. This led to humorous claims that Kilroy was an omnipresent figure, always one step ahead ^[3].

Unusual Appearances

"Kilroy was here" appeared in many unusual places during and after the war. It was found on the Statue of Liberty, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and even on the moon, as depicted in a Bugs Bunny cartoon ^[4].

Prize and Its Use

James Kilroy won a real trolley car as his prize. He used it as a playhouse for his children ^[2].

Find "Kilroy" at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The "Kilroy was here" graffiti is subtly engraved in two locations at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. You can find it (1) behind the golden gates next to the Delaware and Pennsylvania pillars ^[5]; and (2) in small, unassuming corners on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the memorial ^[6].

The story of "Kilroy was here" is a testament to the creativity and humor of American troops during World War II, and it remains a memorable part of wartime folklore.