WWII Veteran and Chicago Political Cartoonist, Bill Mauldin, comes home to the Pritzker Military Museum & Library

On May 14, the Museum & Library will open its newest exhibit, “Drawn to Combat: Bill Mauldin & the Art of War”

Chicago, April 9, 2021 – The Pritzker Military Museum & Library is proud to announce its newest exhibit, “Drawn to Combat: Bill Mauldin & the Art of War,” which will celebrate the artistic career of cartoonist Bill Mauldin. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winning artist, Mauldin’s cartoons embodied the spirit of the infantryman during World War II before turning his critical pen to those in the political sphere. The exhibit will open on May 14th and will follow CDC-Guidelines for safety during the pandemic.

“We are so excited to bring Bill Mauldin’s story back to the cultural forefront and introduce his talent and satire to a new audience,” stated Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), Founder of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library. “The Museum & Library holds the largest collection of his artwork and with the archival items recently donated from the Bill Mauldin Estate, we can give his cultural legacy the platform and honor it deserves.”

For nearly fifty years, from World War II to the end of the Cold War, Bill Mauldin used his artistry and wit to provide commentary on the world as he saw it, earning two Pulitzer Prizes in the process. As a soldier and nationally syndicated political cartoonist, he used his voice and platform to critique the policies and actions of the nation’s leaders, both military and civilian, when they came up short.

Born into poverty, Mauldin used his pen and paper to change his fortune and circumstances. His art saw him through World War II, where he used his own experiences and those of the downtrodden infantryman to present a true account of life on the front. Through his characters Willie and Joe, he was able to capture the cultural nuances of life in the Army, providing comedic relief or trepidation – depending on the viewer – while simultaneously presenting the grim reality of the war to the home front. On his return stateside, he transitioned his critique of military leaders to those leading the nation, finding success as a political cartoonist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, where he won his 2nd Pulitzer Prize, and then at the Chicago Sun-Times. His famous cartoon reacting to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, 20 years after he first came to renown with his Willie and Joe cartoons, showed his continued ability to tap into the cultural zeitgeist of the time.

“What makes Mauldin so unique and forward thinking is his uncanny ability to take on complicated issues – veterans affairs, segregation, the civil rights movement, healthcare, and the economic inequalities in America – and distill it into single images that force the viewer to examine their own biases,” explains Museum & Library Curator James Brundage. “His images continue to be relevant because we are still grappling with these issues and themes today.”

“Drawn to Combat: Bill Mauldin & the Art of War” will feature 125 original Mauldin drawings, another 35 reproduced images, and more than 20 original artifacts. The art spans the breath of Mauldin’s entire career, from 1937 – 1994, from early years learning art in Chicago, to the frontlines of WWII in Europe, to his last years at the Chicago Sun-Times.

Curator James Brundage is available for interviews. Art and/or an in-person media preview will also be available. B-Roll video will be available on May 10th.

Who: The Pritzker Military Museum & Library

What: “Drawn to Combat: Bill Mauldin & the Art of War” a new exhibit offering a retrospective of the work by two-time Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist Bill Mauldin.

When: The exhibit opens at the Museum & Library on May 14, 2021.

Media Preview will occur on May 12th.

Where: Pritzker Military Museum & Library

104 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60603

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am - 4pm CT

Fee: General admission to the Museum & Library is $10.00. Seniors, students and teachers with valid IDs: $8.00. Admission is free for children under 12 and Active Military.

Info: For more information on the Bill Mauldin art exhibit, “Drawn to Combat: Bill Mauldin & the Art of War,” visit the website.

About the Pritzker Military Museum & Library
The Pritzker Military Museum & Library aims to increase the public’s understanding of military history, military affairs and national security by providing a forum for the study and exploration of our military - past, present, and future - with a specific focus on their stories, sacrifices, and values. With national and global reach, these spaces and events aim to share the stories of those who served and their contributions as citizen soldiers, helping citizens everywhere appreciate the relationship between the armed forces and the civilians whose freedoms they protect. A non-governmental, non-partisan organization, the Museum & Library features diverse collections, scholarly initiatives, and public programs from its flagship center in downtown Chicago to its world-class research center and park currently under construction in Somers, Wisconsin.

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Who is Bill Mauldin?

For nearly fifty years, from World War II to the end of the Cold War, Bill Mauldin used his artistry and wit to provide commentary on the world as he saw it, earning two Pulitzer Prizes in the process. As a soldier and nationally syndicated political cartoonist, he used his voice and platform to critique the policies and actions of the nation’s leaders, both military and civilian, when they came up short.

Born into poverty, Mauldin used his pen and paper to change his fortune and circumstances. His art saw him through World War II, where he used his own experiences and those of the downtrodden infantryman to present a true account of life on the front. Through his characters Willie and Joe, he was able to capture the cultural nuances of life in the Army, providing comedic relief or consternation - depending on the viewer – while simultaneously presenting the grim reality of the war to the home front.

His return home gave him fame and fortune beyond his imaginings. As the youngest Pulitzer Prize winner, his fame preceded him, opening doors in Hollywood, syndication in hundreds of newspapers, and books that were instant best-sellers. These platforms allowed him to expose and speak out against the inequalities he witnessed in society at large. He transitioned his critique of military leaders to those leading the nation, finding success as a political cartoonist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, where he won his 2nd Pulitzer Prize, and then at the Chicago Sun-Times. His famous cartoon reacting to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, 20 years after he first came to renown with his Willie and Joe cartoons, shows his continued ability to tap into the cultural zeitgeist of the time.

During his long career Mauldin consistently questioned the privilege he witnessed in American politics, devoting some of his most intense critiques to the social injustices of the period. Addressing segregation in the armed forces, the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and the economic inequalities in America, Mauldin used his artistry and voice to create images that communicated more to his audience than the written word often could.

Spurred on by a rebellious nature, Mauldin created works he believed would make an impact, and force the viewer to engage with the message. The issues that he illustrated in the past, of life in the armed forces, the inequalities of society, and the duplicitousness of politicians stand the test of time precisely because we are still grappling with them today.

Left to Right
A) “Proctor #9,” 1939 - Pen and ink on board
B) “It's either enemy or off limits,” 1944 - Pen and ink on board
C) “Them old eagles sure spoil that new uniform, Colonel,” 1947 – Pen and ink on board
D) “It’s Getting So Bad That Even People Are Complaining,” 1965 – Pen and ink on board
E) “I'd Say He's More Half in than Half Out,” 1970 - Pen and ink drawing
F) “Let's declare ourselves winners and get the hell out,” 1981 – Pen and ink on paper
G) “We Won!,” 1991 - Pen and ink on board

A) “Proctor #9,” 1939 – Pen and ink on board
Drawn during his time as a student at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, this piece shows Mauldin’s early talents as a cartoonist. The speeding motorcycle and automobile seem to leap from the page, eliminating the need for a humorous caption.

B) “It's either enemy or off limits,” 1944 – Pen and ink on board
Mauldin’s most famous characters were Willie and Joe. Here they express a common complaint amongst infantryman during World War II, noting that most towns captured by infantryman were “off limits” to those same troops within minutes.

C) “Them old eagles sure spoil that new uniform, Colonel,” 1947 – Pen and ink on board
Mauldin’s post-war cartoons addressed the experiences faced by soldiers returning home. His cartoons also addressed topics that included the segregation of the armed forces and the racism that had limited the opportunities available to minority soldiers. As the unofficial spokesman of the infantryman during the war, Mauldin believed that the injustices that continued to exist in the military needed to be exposed.

D) “It’s Getting So Bad That Even People Are Complaining,” 1965 – Pen and ink on board
Growing up in New Mexico, Mauldin and his family relied on the land and its resources to get them through the depression. As an adult, Mauldin was passionate about environmental issues. He routinely addressed environmental issues and policy that he believed were serious threats to the country through his cartoons.

E) “I'd Say He's More Half in than Half Out,” 1970 – Pen and ink drawing
Mauldin viewed President Nixon far more poorly than he had President Johnson. Here Vietnamese civilians (or possibly Viet Cong soldiers) joke that despite saying he was going to get troops out of Vietnam, Nixon was no closer to getting the country out of the war.

F) “Let’s declare ourselves winners and get the hell out,” 1981 – Pen and ink on paper
Mauldin was a critic of all governments – where it called for it – and he never struggled to criticize the Soviet Union. He notes here that Soviet troops in Afghanistan probably felt very similar to American troops in Vietnam, and that they were similarly powerless to do anything about their situation.

G) “We Won!,” 1991 – Pen and ink on board
One of Mauldin’s final published cartoons, this piece serves as a fitting culmination of his more than 30 year editorial cartooning career. Mauldin visited Saudi Arabia as U.S. troops prepared for the invasion of Iraq. While he enjoyed his time with the soldiers as they prepared for combat, he felt that years of U.S. involvement in the Middle East had been utterly ignored, and that any action in the region could not be won by force alone.