The use of cartoons and humor goes a long way to lighten a stressful environment in times of war. With any tough assignment, crew morale is an utmost concern and any opportunity to take some of the edge off the situation is welcomed. Thus the reason for flight crews adorning the noses of their aircraft with elaborate (and sometime very risque) paintings known as nose art.
Soldiers, sailors and airmen often doodled and cartooned to take their minds off the war as well. Perhaps one of the most famous cartoonists of WWII was Bill Mauldin, a soldier with the 45th Infantry Division who became known for his cartoons of common soldiers or GIs. Mauldin eventually began drawing for the newspaper Stars and Stripes, featuring the characters Willie and Joe. Mauldin eventually went on to become a Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist after the war.
This colorful tattoo, featuring a cartoon version of the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was created by John Wayne of Beesting Tattoos in Belle River, Ontario CA
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