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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Our Hawk Is Getting Restless, Chief!
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Our Hawk Is Getting Restless, Chief!

Artifact ID1966.64.10
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (French-American, born 1926)
Publisher
Gifter
Date ca. December 1965
Medium Ink and applied shading on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall (with mat) H 11 1/8 in x W 14 1/8 in (28.3 cm x 35.9 cm )
 Other (without mat) H 9 in x W 10 3/4 in (9 in x 10.7 in )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ, dressed as an Indian chief, sits on a blanket with a peace pipe an holds a hand to his ear. In front of him is an empty blanket ("Hanoi") and behind him are several tepees ("U.S."). Next to him, another man ("McNamara") holds a struggling hawk and peers toward the sunrise ("1966"). A third man ("Rusk") has his ear to ground. Caption reads: "Our Hawk Is Getting Restless, Chief!". Artist signature upper right: "Peb 65".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: "December '65". Handwritten at lower right: "To President Johnson with my very best wishes, Peb".
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, the year this cartoon was made, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war with 175,000 American troops. Dean Rusk was Secretary of State and Robert McNamara was Secretary of Defense.
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 Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum. The Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these 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.
Person Referenced Dean Rusk (United States, 1909 - 1994)
Person Referenced Robert McNamara (United States, 1916 - 2009)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place Described
HanoiUnited States
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