Cross Fire
Artifact ID1966.64.122
Object Type
Cartoon Drawing
Artist
John Fischetti
(United States, 1916 - 1980)
Gifter
John Fischetti
Publisher
New York Herald Tribune
(1922 - 1966)
Medium
Ink and applied shading on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 10 1/2 in x W 14 5/8 in (26.7 cm x 37.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionPhysical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ clings to the basket of a rapidly descending hot air balloon. The balloon has been shot through by bullets ("South Vietnam", "Politics"). Caption: "Cross Fire". Artist signature lower left: "Fischetti". Additional text at lower left: "© New York Herald Tribune Inc."
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten across bottom: "1155 - Syndicate", "5 1/2 & 7 3/8 wide", "rec'd 5/25". Handwritten and stamped in red at lower left: "Return original to - Publishers Newspaper Syndicate 230 West 41st Street New York, N.Y. 10036".
Historical NotePresident Johnson’s approval ratings were very high at the start of his presidency and remained fairly high throughout 1964 and 1965 while much of the Great Society legislation was getting passed. By 1966, as the Vietnam War escalated, when this cartoon was made, his approval and disapproval ratings were around the same, and continued to decline after that. In 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.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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