"Kilroy Was Here" Flag

During World War II, United States servicemen began scrawling “Kilroy was here” wherever they were stationed, encamped or just passing through, and accompanied the phrase with a cartoon doodle of a bald-headed man with a prominent nose peering over a wall. The graffiti, which came to be known as simply Kilroy, appeared on every surface imaginable throughout Japan, Italy, France and the Philippines. Joseph Stalin is even rumored to have found it in his private bathroom at the Potsdam Conference in 1945.

Origins of Kilroy

The origins of the Kilroy expression and the drawing have been widely debated. Although one of the more popular theories involves an American shipyard inspector by the name of James J. Kilroy. The Massachusetts inspector reportedly marked the work he had approved with the phrase "Kilroy was here”. The markings were later discovered and repurposed by American soldiers, thus sparking the war’s most widespread inside joke.

Meanwhile, the cartoon of the bald-headed man is believed to have originated with British forces during World War I. The long-nosed character was referred to as Mr. Chad, and when American forces encountered the British sketch during World War II, they ostensibly merged the image with the phrase “Kilroy was here”.

"Kilroy wuz here" Flag Size Recommendations

• 12x18” - Used on boats, wall decoration or on stick flags for celebrations
• 2x3’ - A smaller flag size usually used on large boats, RV’s or small flag poles
• 3x5’ - The most common flag size. Used on 6' house-mounted poles or in-ground poles up to 20' tall
• 4x6’ - Traditionally used on 25' tall in-ground flagpoles
• 5x8’ - Made for use on 30' tall in-ground flag poles
• 6x10’ - Made for use on 35' - 40' tall in-ground flagpoles
• Header and Grommet style - This is the most popular way to attach a flag and is used on house mounted poles and in-ground flag poles. Generally made of brass and connected via snap clip or plastic grommet rings like our rotating spinning pole.
• Need a bigger version of this flag? Contact us for assistance!

Related “Kilroy Wuz Here” Products & Accessories

Expanding your historical flag collection with other historical flags, lapel pins and our whole collection of World War II flags has never been easier. Stocked and ready to go, you can get any of these powerful symbols of defiance and independence today.

The "Kilroy Wuz Here" flag pairs perfectly with the WWII Commemorative Flag and the Victory in Europe flag, each representing key moments in World War II. Dive deeper into WWII history with our Greatest Generation Free Speech Pack, the perfect way to stock up on symbols from America's World War II era.

About the “Kilroy wuz here” Flag

To honor this iconic symbol in American history, Gettysburg Flag Works has created the “Kilroy wuz here” flag. Made in the USA for indoor or outdoor use, the flag is digitally printed on durable all-weather nylon with four rows reinforced stitching. For questions about the “Kilroy wuz here” flag, or to place an order by phone, give us a call at 1-888-697-3524.