Source: “”˜Where”™s Elmer?”™” The Post-Crescent, 4 Dec. 1945, p. 4. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent/137964179/

“Kilroy” was an enigmatic and elusive figure, an almost mythical persona whose name became ubiquitous across various locations worldwide. U.S. military personnel would commonly inscribe the phrase “Kilroy was here” accompanied by a doodle or sketch depicting a peeking figure, often with oversized fingers gripping a wall or peeking over its edge. This symbolic graffiti appeared on walls, vehicles, and surfaces during World War II. They became a playful yet enduring representation of the American presence in different parts of the world. The appearance of Kilroy’s name and sketch served as a whimsical reminder of the soldiers’ passage, leaving a mark that sparked curiosity and conversation wherever it was found.

Source: Stilwell, Blake. “”˜Kilroy Was Here”™ Was the WWII-Era Viral Meme.” We Are The Mighty, 2 July 2022, www.wearethemighty.com/popular/kilroy-was-here-was-the-wwii-era-viral-meme/.