Era II · 1943–1945

The War Years

A Lover, Not a Fighter

Richard would joke about the call to duty this way: "I fought like hell, but they took me anyway" — explaining he was a lover, not a fighter. Fortunately for him, the United States Army recognized his talents early. He never saw action and almost immediately found work in the Army's Provost General's office. There, Richard lettered and illustrated training manuals, signs, and other internal communications.

Much of the pen and ink work he drew on his free time during this period helped him hone his hyper-realism skills and abilities. It also filled him with intellectual curiosity about the ways his talents could serve him well in life.

To his credit, the artist garnered commendations and pulled his weight in the military. The Army gave him the American Service Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, a World War II Victory Medal and an honorable discharge in 1946 as a sergeant, correctional custodial personnel and military police for the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks.

With the G.I. Bill in hand, Richard would embark on a new journey — one which would fill his senses and spark creativity.

Personal Photographs — Wartime Service

Richard in his Military Police uniform
Richard in his MP uniform
Richard outside the Army barracks
Outside the Barracks
Richard getting ready for a march
Getting ready for a march
Cleaning day at the Barracks
Cleaning day
Richard in his MP helmet
Looking cool in his MP helmet
Richard joking around outside with fellow soldiers
Joking around outside
Richard back at the barracks after a hike
After a hike
Richard standing at attention
Standing at attention
Richard staying warm on a chilly day
Staying warm
Richard's Army induction photo
Induction photo
Richard goofing around with Army buddies
With Army buddies

Artwork — 1943–1945

Inducted into the Army — drawing of induction

Inducted into the Army

Drawing — c. 1943

A drawing commemorating the moment of induction into the United States Army.

Niagara Falls Hotel — architectural illustration

Niagara Falls Hotel

Illustration — c. 1943–1945

An architectural illustration of a hotel near Niagara Falls, drawn during Richard's stateside service.

Recovering Soldier — wartime illustration

Recovering Soldier

Pen & Ink — c. 1943–1945

A scene of a recovering soldier, drawn with Richard's characteristic attention to human expression.

Catching Up on News — soldier reading illustration

Catching Up on News

Pen & Ink — c. 1943–1945

A soldier reading the newspaper — one of many quiet, observational scenes Richard captured during his service.

Not a Bad Hand — card game illustration

Not a Bad Hand

Pen & Ink — c. 1943–1945

Soldiers playing cards — a classic wartime pastime captured with warmth and humor.

Thinking of Folding — card game illustration

Thinking of Folding

Pen & Ink — c. 1943–1945

A companion piece to "Not a Bad Hand" — a pensive soldier weighing his cards.

Sharing Stories — soldiers in conversation

Sharing Stories

Pen & Ink — c. 1943–1945

A scene of soldiers sharing stories, demonstrating Richard's ability to capture authentic human moments.

Hospital Barrack Beds — architectural interior

Hospital Barrack Beds

Pen & Ink — c. 1943–1945

A precise architectural interior of Army hospital barracks, showcasing Richard's technical draughtsmanship.

Sketch of Richard Sketching — portrait of the artist at work

Sketch of Richard Sketching

Pen & Ink — c. 1943–1945

A fellow soldier's sketch of Richard at his drafting table. Even during wartime, Richard never stopped drawing.

Fort Custer Hospital Bed — interior illustration

Fort Custer Hospital Bed

Pen & Ink — c. 1943–1945

A detailed interior drawing of a hospital bed at Fort Custer, capturing the spare institutional setting of wartime medical facilities.

Napping Enlisted Men — soldiers resting

Napping Enlisted Men

Pen & Ink — c. 1943–1945

A relaxed scene of enlisted men at rest — Richard's warm and observant approach to documenting everyday Army life.

The Risky Shore Rescue — dramatic narrative scene

The Risky Shore Rescue

Illustration — c. 1943–1945

A dramatic narrative scene drawn during downtime in service, showing the storytelling skill Richard developed through his comic book work.

King George VI in military uniform — wartime portrait study

King George VI in Uniform

Portrait Study — c. 1943–1945

A wartime portrait study of Britain's wartime king, created while Richard was stationed with the U.S. Army.

GI Kissing Girlfriend — romantic wartime illustration

GI Kissing Girlfriend

Illustration — c. 1943–1945

A romantic wartime illustration capturing the emotional farewells and reunions that defined the era.

Lady with Purse — figure study

Lady with Purse

Figure Study — c. 1943–1945

An elegant figure study of a woman with a purse — early evidence of the refined portraiture Richard would later excel at commercially.

Lounging Model — figure study

Lounging Model

Figure Study — c. 1943–1945

A relaxed figure study demonstrating Richard's growing facility with the human form.

Disassembled View of Submachine Gun — Army training manual illustration

Disassembled View of Submachine Gun

Technical Illustration — Army Training Manual — c. 1943–1945

Technical illustrations like this were Richard's primary contribution to the war effort, produced for the Army Provost General's office training manuals.

Automatic Pistol Caliber .45 — Army training manual technical illustration

Automatic Pistol Caliber .45

Technical Illustration — Army Training Manual — c. 1943–1945

A precise technical illustration of the standard-issue sidearm, demonstrating Richard's mastery of mechanical drawing.

How Sharp Are Your Eyes — visual acuity test illustration

How Sharp Are Your Eyes

Training Illustration — c. 1943–1945

A visual acuity or recognition test illustration produced for Army training purposes.