The Legends of "Kilroy Was Here" page 2

There was one person who led or participated in every combat, training or occupation operation during WWII and the Korean War. This person could always be depended on. GI's began to consider him the "super GI." He was one who always got there first or who was always there when they left. I am, of course, referring to Kilroy Was Here. Somehow, this simple graffiti captured the imagination of GI's everywhere they went. The scribbled cartoon face and words showed up everywhere - worldwide. Stories (some even true) abound.

A Little More About Kilroy from Kilroy Kilroy wrote: The name Kilroy in Ireland is often derived from the native Gaelic Mac Giolla Rua Sept that was located in Connaught Province. Variants include MacIlroy in Ulster and Kilroe in County Roscommon. It is in the Western Counties as well as County Fermanagh that the majority of descendants bearing this name can today be found. John P. Kilroy Jr.

Legend #9 The Philadelphia Inquirer's version James Kilroy wrote: A number of years ago the Philadelphia Inquirer responded to a question about the Kilroy Was Here signs. According to them, they were started by a Quincy MA shipyard inspector named James F. Kilroy. He first chalked the slogan on tank tops and cargo boxes to show they'd been checked. Cargo went everywhere and GIs spread the slogan. The Kilroy slogan soon became a special pal of scared soldiers. To show that an area had been cleared GIs wrote the slogan Kilroy was here. James Kilroy no relation to the original