Bill Mauldin (October 29, 1921 – January 22, 2003) was an acclaimed cartoonist most famous for his editorial cartoons about the American soldiers’ experience during World War II. His two most famous characters were Willie and Joe - two battle-weary infantrymen. Bill Mauldin’s humorous take on the everyday experiences of a soldier on the ground gave us a unique look into the soldier’s perspective of the war. The cartoons focus on the day-to-day struggles of being and infantryman and Willie and Joe’s stoic attitude to their situation. For those of us who have never experienced war, it gives us a unique glimpse into the culture of the World War II soldier.
Mauldin published his cartoons in the American soldiers’ newspaper Stars and Stripes. Because he often lampooned the military, some officers disliked his cartoons. General George S. Patton threatened to ban Stars and Stripes from his division over the cartoons until General Dwight D. Eisenhower told him to back down saying that it was a good outlet for the soldiers’ frustration. Many soldiers credited Mauldin’s cartoons for helping them get through the war.
In 1945, at the age of 23, Mauldin received a Pulitzer Prize for his wartime cartoons. He won a second Pulitzer in 1959 for his editorial cartoons. His work shows a sense of humanity that is sometimes lacking in political cartoons. His insightfulness and honesty made him a hero to the average soldier and his cartoons are a lasting legacy that allows us a unique glimpse into the soldier’s experience.
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