Yank, the Army Weekly
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Yank was a weekly magazine published by the United States military during World War II. Founded and edited by Major Hartzell Spence (1908-2001), the magazine was written by enlisted rank soldiers only and was made available to the soldiers, sailors and airmen serving overseas. It was published at facilities around the world -- British, Mediterranean, Continental, Western Pacific -- for a total of 21 editions in 17 countries. Yank was the most widely read magazine in the history of the U.S. military, achieving a worldwide circulation of more than 2.6 million. Each issue was priced at five cents because it was felt that if soldiers paid, they would have a higher regard for the publication. Each issue was edited in New York City and then shipped for printing around the world where staff editors added local stories. The last issue was published in December, 1945.
Sketch artists such as Robert Greenhalgh and Howard Brodie worked on the magazine which also featured the "G.I. Joe" cartoons by Dave Breger and the Sad Sack cartoons by Sgt. George Baker. Noted artist and author, Jack Coggins, spent over two years with Yank - firstly in New York, then in London; during his time with Yank he produced illustrations and articles featured in more than 24 issues.
The August 2, 1945 issue contained an article about women contributing to the war effort at home and Yank's cover showed an unknown Mrs. Norma Jeane Dougherty on the assembly line at the Radio Plane Munitions factory in Burbank, California. For the then wife of Merchant Marine James Dougherty, the photo opened the door for her to become the most famous actress in Hollywood history.
One of the most popular "morale boosters" for the men in the armed forces was the inclusion of a pin-up girl in each issue who was usually clad either in a bathing suit or a some form of seductive attire. Many of the pin-up girls featured were the biggest stars of stage and screen of the day and included:
