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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Keep Cool
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Keep Cool

Artifact ID1973.1.1497
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States, born 1927)
Publisher ()
Gifter
Date ca. March 1967
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 5/8 in x W 11 1/2 in (37.1 cm x 29.2 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ talks to a firefighter (“Bunker”) as he walks toward the dark smoke ("Vietnam") while holding an axe. Another fireman (“Lodge”) staggers away battered with his tongue hanging out. Caption: “Keep Cool”. Artist signature lower right: "Basset”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten across the bottom: "For LBJ with warm regards - Gene Basset". Handwritten at lower right: [circle] “615”. Handwritten at upper right: “3/17/67”.
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. Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. and Ellsworth Bunker were American ambassadors to South Vietnam from 1965-1967. They both agreed with President Johnson’s escalation of the war.
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 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 Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced Ellsworth Bunker (United States, 1894 - 1984)
Person Referenced Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (United States, 1902 - 1985)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Subjects
Vietnam War
Place of Publication
Cincinnati
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