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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
In the Meantime, Maybe We Should Read This
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

In the Meantime, Maybe We Should Read This

Artifact ID1973.1.1727
Publisher ()
Date ca. March 1967
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 18 1/8 in x W 14 1/4 in (46 cm x 36.2 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ as a soldier and a man (identifiable as Robert McNamara) are in a foxhole. LBJ holds a dead bird ("Peace Feeler") hanging from a stick and reads from a book ("There's No Substitute for Victory --General Douglas MacArthur"). Meanwhile, McNamara holds a gun and a measuring tool. Caption: “In the Meantime, Maybe We Should Read This”. Artist signature lower right: "Ralph Vinson".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at upper right: [red] “States editorial - Wed. Mar 1, 1967”. Handwritten at lower center: [red] “5 ¾”. Handwritten at lower right: “442”.
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. Robert McNamara was the Secretary of Defense. Douglas MacArthur was a commander in the Pacific Theater during World War II and led the United Nations Command during the Korean 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
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 Robert McNamara (United States, 1916 - 2009)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Not on view
Place of Publication