Willie Gillis USO by Norman Rockwell

February 7, 1942 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

This painting by Norman Rockwell, Willie Gillis USO, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published February 7, 1942. This is yet another timeless favorite of Rockwell collectors, a classic for the ages.

Another title for this painting is Willie Gillis at the USO.

This painting was Rockwell's first cover for The Post in 1942. In 1942, there were eight Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post covers published.

This painting was also Rockwell's 205th overall of 322 total pictures featured on the cover of The Post. Rockwell's career with the Post spanned 47 years, from his first cover illustration, Boy With Baby Carriage in 1916 to his last, Portrait of John F. Kennedy, in 1963.

I have seen pristine original copies of this magazine cover sell for over one hundred dollars on eBay. And to think it only cost ten cents originally! And it was in mint condition at that time, too.

The whereabouts of the original oil on canvas painting is currently unknown.

This painting also appears in three Rockwell commentary books. It appears:

• as illustration 252 of Norman Rockwell's America by Christopher Finch,
• as illustration 393 of Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator by Thomas Buechner and
• on page 148 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

Willie Gillis USO

This classic Norman Rockwell painting shows Willie Gillis, America's boy next door, enjoying the hospitality provided by the USO.

This is also the third in the Norman Rockwell Willie Gillis series of covers for The Saturday Evening Post. Rockwell painted eleven images that appeared on the Post cover and one illustration that was featured inside the Post.

Private Willie Gillis, Jr, is in his element in this painting.

Surrounded with a pretty girl on each side, the World War Two serviceman is in hog heaven.

Having plenty of delicious sweet treats only adds to his enjoyment.

The look on Willie's face says it all.

It looks like one of the USO ladies is actually feeding him a cookie.

He is so excited that two cookies and his coffee spoon have slid off his plate. And he is almost spilling his coffee right out of his cup.

Willie's mouth looks like it is absolutely full of food. And it should be. These treats are probably as close to home cooking as he has eaten in several months.

Maybe ever since his Food Package arrived from home.

You may be also interested in these:
Norman Rockwell Willie Gillie Series Introduction
Food Package
Home Sweet Home
USO
Hometown News
What to Do in a Blackout
In Church
Girls with Letters
Cat's Cradle
New Year's Eve
Gillis Family Heritage
In College