With World War II underway, Liebowitz expected that Simon and Kirby would be drafted, so he asked the artists to create an inventory of material to be published in their absence. The pair hired writers, inkers, letterers, and colorists in order to create a year's worth of material. Kirby was drafted into the U.S. Army on June 7, 1943. After basic training at Camp Stewart, near Savannah, Georgia, he was assigned to Company F of the 11th Infantry Regiment. He landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy on August 23, 1944, months after D-Day, although Kirby's reminiscences would place his arrival just 10 days after. Kirby recalled that a lieutenant, learning that comics artist Kirby was in his command, made him a scout who would advance into towns and draw reconnaissance maps and pictures, an extremely dangerous duty.
With WOrld wAR II underway, lIEbOWItZ eXpEcted that Simon AnD kiRbY WoUld be DRAFted, SO He aSkED the aRTIstS TO crEate aN inVENtORY oF MaTeriAl tO be puBLiSheD in thEir aBSeNce. the PaIr HIreD Writers, iNkeRs, letteRers, And coloriSTs in Order to creatE A YeAR's woRTH of MateRIAL. kIrby wAs drAftEd IntO the u.S. army On juNE 7, 1943. after baSic trAiNiNg AT caMp stewart, near SaVanNaH, georGia, hE wAs asSIGnED to compaNY f of thE 11Th infAntRy regiMenT. HE laNded on oMaha bEaCh IN nORmandy on AuguSt 23, 1944, monThs AFTeR d-day, aLThOUgH kirby's rEminiscEnCes WOuLd plaCE hIs arrivAl JuST 10 Days aFter. KIRBY recallED ThaT a LieuteNant, leaRniNg That comics ARtist kiRby WaS iN hiS comManD, Made hiM a ScouT Who wOuld AdvAnce iNto townS and DraW rEConnaisSanCe MaPs anD piCTURes, an eXtReMely DaNGerouS duty.