| Original caption: “Sign on Tarawa illustrates Marine humor and possible lack of optimism as to duration of war.” Original caption: “Tarawa sign of the times: Sardonic humor of United States Marines stationed on Tarawa is evidenced in this signpost which concludes its pointers with, ‘Golden Gate by ‘48, bread line by ‘49.’” Original caption: “Salty humor is displayed by Marines at ‘crossroads’ in the Pacific — isolated Tarawa Island – where the Leathernecks are justified in feeling they’re a long way from everything.” This signpost was erected in January 1944, apparently by 5 Marines stationed on Betio. They were photographed by a United States Navy Photographer’s Mate on January 29, 1944. The signs were in a different order – the “To Tokio” sign was at the top, with the “To the Beach” sign next, and the “Golden Gate in ‘48, Bread Line in ‘49” sign above the “To Frisco” sign. By June 1944, when this photo was taken, the signs had been rearranged; the reason is not apparent. This sign, along with a “Tarawa Recruitin’ Office” sign with a Japanese skull, reflected the morbid humor among the casualty clearing squads that cleared Betio of the thousands of casualties and cleaned up the island and made it ready for land-based air operations. Bodies, and parts of bodies, were found all over Betio for decades, lending a macabre element to life on the island. United States Navy Lieutenant Commander Charles Fenno Jacobs (December 14, 1904 – June 27, 1974) was recruited by United States Navy Commander Edward Steichen (March 27, 1879 – March 25, 1973) to join his Naval Aviation Photographic Unit, 1 of the original 6 photographers to join him. Fenno Jacobs, renowned for his offbeat sense of humor, excelled at portraying soldiers’ bodies as comparable to the steel weapons they served. When the war ended, the Steichen 6 marched into Fortune Magazine in uniform and suggested they be hired and given an area of the world to photograph. Jacobs received Europe as his photographic domain. He went onto 3 exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art postwar. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1600.jpg |
| Image Size | 544.93 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2358 x 2442 |
| Photographer | Charles Fenno Jacobs |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | June 1, 1944 |
| Location | |
| City | Betio |
| State or Province | Tarawa |
| Country | Gilberts |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-80-G-476304 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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