|
The army magazine Yank portrayed one of the most beloved characters of the war in
The Sad Sack, a comic strip cartoon,
written by Sergeant George Baker. The Sad Sack's plight was always exaggerated but seemed to hit a spot in every
GI's heart.
Bill Mauldin, the author of the comic strip characters, Joe and Willie, did more to immortalize the American infantrymen
than anyone. The GIs read about Joe and Willie in the newspaper, Stars and
Stripes.
Bill Mauldin created the characters, Willie and Joe, to represent
the U. S. soldiers in World War II. He drew the characters, at first, for
his division's newspaper, the 45th Infantry Division. Joe and Willie became
so popular that Mauldin soon drew the cartoons for the overseas newspaper, Stars
and Stripes.
General Patton did not approve of the characterizations because he felt they
were demeaning to the soldiers. After all, he was a "Spit and
Polish" general. General Eisenhower, on the other hand, whole-heartedly
approved of the characterizations.
|
