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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Under Heavy Bombardment
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Under Heavy Bombardment

Artifact ID1973.1.1614
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States, 1912 - 1981)
Gifter
Publisher (founded 1829)
Date ca. October 1967
Medium Ink on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 11 in x W 15 in (27.9 cm x 38.1 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. Soldier LBJ crouches in a trench beside a sign ("Conduct of the War") and a rifle. Overhead, there are several explosions ("Sen. Symington”, “John Sherman Cooper”, “Sen. Percy”, “Gen. Gavin”, “Thruston Morton”, “Sen. Case"). Caption: “Under Heavy Bombardment”. Artist signature lower right: "B. Green”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: [blue] “Journal Wed 4 Oct 67”. Handwritten at lower right: [red] “55.5”.
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 and over 1967, there were 500,000 American troops in Vietnam. Pro-war “hawks” supported escalating the war to stop the spread of Communism in Southeast Asia. Pro-war figures believed that the war could be won if the United States had enough public support. Anti-war “doves” included both people who opposed the war ideologically, considering it to be unjust, and people who just believed the war was unwinnable. The number of doves increased over the course of the war. Missouri Senator Stuart Symington, Kentucky Senator John Sherman Cooper, General James M. Gavin, Kentucky Senator Thruston Ballard Morton all opposed the war while Illinois Senator Charles H. Percy and New Jersey Senator Clifford P. Case supported it.
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, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1973.
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.
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced Charles H. Percy (United States, 1919 - 2011)
Person Referenced Stuart Symington (United States, 1901 - 1988)
Person Referenced Clifford P. Case (United States, 1904 - 1982)
Person Referenced John Sherman Cooper (United States, 1901 - 1991)
Person Referenced Thruston Morton (United States, 1907 - 1982)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Subjects
Vietnam War
Place Described
Vietnam
Place of Publication
Providence
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