where did the term gi joe come from
G.I. (military)
During World War I , American soldiers sardonically referred to incoming German artillery shells as `` G.I. cans '' . Also during that war , `` G.I. '' started being interpreted as `` Government Issue '' or `` General Issue '' for the general items of equipment of soldiers and airmen . The term `` G.I. '' came into widespread use in the United States with the start of the Selective Service System ( `` the draft '' ) in 1940 , extending into 1941 . Next , the use of `` G.I. '' expanded from 1942 through 1945 . The American five - star General Dwight D. Eisenhower said in 1945 that `` the truly heroic figure of this war ( is ) G.I. Joe and his counterpart in the air , the navy , and the Merchant Marine of every one of the United Nations . '' 
During World War I , American soldiers sardonically referred to incoming German artillery shells as `` G.I. cans '' . Also during that war , `` G.I. '' started being interpreted as `` Government Issue '' or `` General Issue '' for the general items of equipment of soldiers and airmen . The term `` G.I. '' came into widespread use in the United States with the start of the Selective Service System ( `` the draft '' ) in 1940 , extending into 1941 . Next , the use of `` G.I. '' expanded from 1942 through 1945 . The American five - star General Dwight D. Eisenhower said in 1945 that `` the truly heroic figure of this war ( is ) G.I. Joe and his counterpart in the air , the navy , and the Merchant Marine of every one of the United Nations . ''
During World War I, American soldiers sardonically referred to incoming German artillery shells as "G.I. cans ."
 Also during that war, "G.I." started being interpreted as "Government Issue" or "General Issue" for the general items of equipment of soldiers and airmen.  The term "G.I." came into widespread use in the United States with the start of the Selective Service System in 1940.   The American five-star General Dwight D. Eisenhower said in 1945 that "the truly heroic figure of this war (is) G.I. Joe and his counterpart in the air, the navy, and the Merchant Marine of every one of the United Nations."
During World War I , American soldiers sardonically referred to incoming German artillery shells as `` G.I. cans '' . Also during that war , `` G.I. '' started being interpreted as `` Government Issue '' or `` General Issue '' for the general items of equipment of soldiers and airmen . The term `` G.I. '' came into widespread use in the United States with the start of the Selective Service System ( `` the draft '' ) in 1940 , extending into 1941 . The American five - star General Dwight D. Eisenhower said in 1945 that `` the truly heroic figure of this war ( is ) G.I. Joe and his counterpart in the air , the navy , and the Merchant Marine of every one of the United Nations . ''