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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Not Too Close, You'll Burn Your Fingers!
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Not Too Close, You'll Burn Your Fingers!

Artifact ID1966.64.31
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States, 1913 - 1982)
Gifter
Publisher ()
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 13 7/8 in x W 11 3/4 in (35.2 cm x 29.8 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A man tries to stop Uncle Sam, dressed as a fireman, who aims a fire hose at a burning building where people ("Vietnam", "Santo Domingo", "Laos", "Thailand") are gesturing for help. Caption reads: "Not Too Close, You'll Burn Your Fingers!". Artist signature lower right: "Crawford NEA".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "To President Johnson, sincerely Bill". Handwritten at bottom center: "2 - 3 col" "1 - 2 col" "333 - 515".
Historical NoteIn August 1964, US ships were seemingly attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin, leading to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that allowed President Johnson to take military action. In February 1965, Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder to bomb North Vietnam and in March, 3500 Marines were deployed in Vietnam. Over 1965, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war with 175,000 American troops. In April 1965, the Dominican Revolutionary Party installed a president in the National Palace. In response, President Johnson sent Marines to the Dominican Republic to evacuate American citizens from the country, end the civil war, and establish a conservative Reformist Party government. From 1964-1973, the United States heavily bombed Laos through CIA covert operations because it provided supplies to North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, making Laos the most bombed nation in history. Thailand was an ally to the United States during the Vietnam War so the United States provided Thailand with aid, leading to urbanization and Westernization. This was right after the end of the rule of the general Sarit Thanarat from 1957-1963.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson personally, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1970.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 189698395)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
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