1. McClelland Barclay was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Naval Reserve in 1938 and following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor he went on active duty.
17 Facts About McClelland Barclay
1. 2.
McClelland Barclay was sent to Washington, DC, to live with his aunt and uncle, Edward and Lucy McClelland, after whom he had been named.
3.
McClelland Barclay studied first at the Art Institute of Chicago, and later at the Art Students League in New York City, where he studied figure drawing with George Bridgman and illustration with Thomas Fogarty.
4.
McClelland Barclay attended the St Louis School of Fine Arts ; there he studied under the school's founder, Halsey Ives.
5.
McClelland Barclay was a student in the Corcoran School of Art in Washington DC.
6.
McClelland Barclay was considered a superstar in the film industry during the late 1930s and early 1940s.
7.
McClelland Barclay was one of the first artists to paint World War II pin-up girl, Betty Grable.
8.
McClelland Barclay used his second wife Helene, 19 years old, as the model for the iconic Fisher Autobody image.
9.
McClelland Barclay illustrated advertisements for Whitman's Chocolates, Texaco, and Camel and Chesterfield brand cigarettes.
10.
McClelland Barclay was a member of the Art Students League, the Chicago Art Club, the Society of Illustrators, the Association of Arts and Industries, and the Artists Guild.
11.
In mid-1940, McClelland Barclay prepared experimental dazzle camouflage designs for Navy combat aircraft, but evaluation tests revealed that pattern camouflage was of little use for aircraft.
12.
McClelland Barclay served in the New York Recruiting office, illustrating posters for the next two and a half years.
13.
Commander, McClelland Barclay worked on further assignments until July 18,1943, when he was reported as missing in action.
14.
On board, sketching and taking photographs at the time, McClelland Barclay's body was not recovered.
15.
McClelland Barclay was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal; the American Area Campaign Medal; and the World War II Victory Medal.
16.
McClelland Barclay did not smoke or drink and boxed to keep in shape; Nan drank, smoked and loved parties.
17.
McClelland Barclay then became engaged to his second wife, Helene Haskins.