You may have heard of Walt Disney’s support of wartime efforts. According to one newspaper insert published July of 1955: “When World War II broke out, scores of highly trained Disney technicians streamed into every branch of the armed service, and the studio turned unreservedly to the service of Uncle Sam.”
The Horvitz & Wiezorek Collections are two of the most extensive privately owned collections of Walt Disney Studios World War II insignia that Disney History 101 has ever had the privilege of viewing! It was previously on display at The Palm Springs Air Museum from November 11th - April 15th, 2018. The Walt Disney Studios Military Insignia Department (under the direction of Hank Porter), sanctioned approximately 1,200 symbols representing bases and squadrons during the war. Other notable artists (like Roy Williams of Mickey Mouse Club fame) contributed designs.
Many of these were produced for American Military branches upon request, and a good number of them were even commissioned for American allies. Please step this way, as we examine some of these historic pieces of artwork and the stories behind them. Your personal tour of The Horvitz & Wiezorek Collections starts HERE!
During World War II, the U.S. Army moved onto the Walt Disney Studio lot, on December 8, 1941. The intent was to draft Mickey and all of his pals to support the war effort - from recycling or selling war bonds. All manner of Disney Characters soon appeared on posters, on billboards, in newspaper publications, and in theatrically released public service announcements.
Short films were produced for training while some called were produced with the intent of combating propaganda. One Donald Duck short film (released January 1, 1943) entitled “Der Fuehrer's Face,” featured a tune so popular that the film won an Academy Award.
If that wasn’t enough, the entire animated cast of Walt Disney Studios went to war, appearing as divisional mascots with about every branch of the United States Military. A multitude of squadrons, bases, and entire forces sent insignia requests to Walt Disney Studios. Minesweeper patrol units, Naval Bases, Aviation Repair Units, and Naval Construction Battalions are just a few diverse groups who inquired about usage of Walt Disney Studios Illustration Department’s creative works. In response to most letters, a license was granted through Kay Kamen so that the party may mass-produce the logo for non-commercial purposes. Whether insignia concepts were rejected or approved, individuals were notified by mail. Please CLICK on the following image and explore a brief collection of letters to and from Walt Disney Studios.
We were not surprised to see a couple of insignia designs featuring Mickey Mouse.
Mickey was a popular character license request for war time insignia, but there was one other co-star that seemed to overshadow him in terms of popularity! It all began with the 1943 anti-Nazi propaganda short Der Fuehrer’s Face. It’s star’s popularity took to the skies (literally), and the most requested character to be featured in character insignia was. . . Donald Duck!
Donald Duck may have been featured in at least 146 of the 1,200 designs, but many lesser- known characters were also sought after. These requests came from both United States forces and European allies who had a fondness for Walt’s work. Many Silly Symphony characters appeared as insignias - Abner (“The Country Cousin”, 1936), the Three Little Wolves (from the wildly popular 1936 sequel), and even the star of The Ugly Duckling (from Walt Disney’s 1939 version). The 1941 feature film The Reluctant Dragon may not have been popular with critics and audiences, but it’s animated star was memorable enough to be specifically requested by at least one Air Force squadron. Please CLICK the following image to explore a gallery of these character insignias!
Female squadrons would make specific request for female character insignia which Walt Disney granted. Perhaps the most famous of Walt Disney Studios’ female character insignia is Roald Dahl’s female gremlin (Fifinella), which was granted WASP (Women Air Force Service Pilots). But other specific requests for female characters like Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck were also made. The women of one squadron at El Centro Marine Base were so interested in a Walt Disney Studios mascot that they wrote their entire request in poem. Please CLICK the following image to explore this artifact and a short gallery of female insignia related artifacts.
There were also plenty of custom characters created by Walt Disney Studios that were utilized for war-time efforts.
This streamlined, Art Nouveau-stylized insignia was painted by notable background artist Gustav Tengrenn and Walt Disney Studios War Insignia Department personally for HAP ARNOLD! Henry Harley “Hap” Arnold was an American general officer who held the grades of General of The Army and General of the Air Force, promoted to full General during wartime (1943), and appointed to five-star General of the Army.
THE U.S. NAVY SCOUTING SQUADRON 11, pencil. This insignia is reminiscent of The Department of Agriculture Lend Lease Insignia, as well as some designs produced for Victory Through Air Power!
Perhaps one of the most intriguing “Disney” character insignias wasn’t even produced by Walt Disney Studios.
During World War II, Walter Lantz Studios received a request for the beloved “Walt Disney version” of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit! This came after more than a decade of Walter Lantz’ theatrical Oswald the Lucky Rabbit shorts. The studio complied and produced this insignia for UNITED STATES NAVY V.O.3. OBSERVATION SQUADRON, and is currently part of the Horwitz Collection.
Though the majority of licensed character insignia seemed to end with the collapse of the Axis Powers and Allied victory of 1945, insignia continued to be produced even after the war was over.
Insignias graced aircraft even after World War II, like this Shere Khan on the side of this Grumman F7F-3 (Model G51) Tigercat. This particular aircraft (pictured) continued it’s service postwar into the mid-1950s. When Walt Disney’s The Jungle Book was released during the mid-1960s, this insignia was added to the heavy fighter aircraft.
There was nothing funny about World War II - by many accounts it was the deadliest war in human history. At the time, these (sometimes humorous) logos gave their representative members a bit of homegrown nostalgia and deepened their sense of pride. Outside of publication, The Horvitz and Wiezorek collections are two of the most extensive collections of original sketches and paintings of these insignia that we have ever encountered and had the privilege to share with you. The pieces we viewed today represent only a small fraction of what was actually on display. Hopefully this collection (from a never-to-be-repeated era of Walt Disney Studios Illustration) will not be forgotten, but continue to make further appearances in the future for the education and appreciation of future generations!