Bill Mauldin

William Henry "Bill" Mauldin (October 29, 1921–January 22, 2003) was a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist of the United States.

World War II cartoonist

While in the U.S. 45th Infantry Division, he began drawing cartoons about regular soldiers, called dogfaces. Eventually he created two cartoon infantrymen, Willie and Joe, who became synonymous with the average American GI. Mauldin began working for Stars and Stripes, the American soldiers' newspaper, and his cartoons were viewed by soldiers all over Europe during World War II, and also published in the United States. Willie was on the cover of Time Magazine in 1943 and Mauldin was there in 1958.

Related Topics:
U.S. 45th Infantry Division - GI - Stars and Stripes - Newspaper - Europe - World War II - Time Magazine

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Army officers who were raised in the peacetime army of spit and polish and obedience to orders without question were offended. General George Patton once summoned Mauldin to his office and threatened to "throw his ass in jail" for "spreading dissent". This after one of Mauldin's cartoons made fun of Patton's demand that all soldiers must be clean-shaven and wear ties at all times, even in combat. But Dwight Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander, told Patton to leave Mauldin alone, because he felt that Mauldin's cartoons gave the soldiers an outlet for their frustrations. He told an interviewer later, "Patton was living in the Dark Ages. Soldiers were peasants to him. I didn't like that attitude."

Related Topics:
George Patton - Dwight Eisenhower - Dark Ages

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Mauldin's cartoons made him a hero to the common soldier. They often credited him with helping them to get through the rigors of the war. Mauldin himself served on the front lines, landing at Anzio, and receiving a Purple Heart for being wounded. He attained the rank of sergeant and was awarded the Army's Legion of Merit for his cartoons.

Related Topics:
Anzio - Purple Heart - Legion of Merit

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