Bill Mauldin's Star Spangled Banter

It's Veteran's Day in the U.S., time to remember the guys who fought our wars.

A couple of centuries from now I'm sure when histories of World War II are written they'll include Bill Mauldin's cartoons depicting unshaven, mud-covered, tired GI's making pithy comments. Such were Willie and Joe, Mauldin's most famous creations, and such is his legacy that they are enduring symbols of American soldiers slogging through Europe.

This booklet, issued by the STARS AND STRIPES newspaper in 1944, collects some of Mauldin's cartoons. He drew six a week, which is a lot for any cartoonist, especially one like Mauldin who traveled around in his own jeep, visiting soldiers for inspiration.

I'd like to once again thank David Miller, who scanned this from his copy.

STAR SPANGLED BANTER By Sgt. Bill Mauldin. Copyright © 1944 Army Times Publishing Co.