Louder, Please!
Artifact ID1973.1.1231
Object Type
Cartoon Drawing
Artist
Cy Hungerford
(1889 - 1983)
Gifter
Cy Hungerford
Medium
Ink on illustration board
DimensionsOverall H 17 1/4 in x W 27 in (43.8 cm x 68.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionPhysical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ wears a button "All the way with LBJ" and shouts "I SAID we're doing okay!" to a man ("The Public") who holds a hand to his ear. In the background, an explosion happens ("BOOM"), forming a cloud ("Viet Cong Offensive") in the sky over the land (“Vietnam”) as a man (“U.S.”) goes flying in the air. A plane (“U.S. Airforce”) breaks in half in the sky. On other land (“N. Korea”), a man catches a fish ("Pueblo"). Sketch on the averse side. Caption: “Louder, Please!”. Artist signature lower right: "Hungerford”.
Historical NoteOn January 23, 1968, the USS Pueblo was captured by North Korea, which claimed that the ship had entered North Korean territory. In response, President Johnson negotiated for the release of the captive sailors to avoid getting into another war. 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 and over 1967, there were 500,000 American troops in Vietnam. The war’s unpopularity in the United States was increased further by the North Vietnamese Tet Offensive in early 1968, which led to even greater casualties. In March 1968, Lyndon Johnson withdrew from the presidential race to try to end the war and in October, he announced a bombing halt over Vietnam. John Q Public is a character often included in political cartoons to depict the average citizen, often portrayed with glasses, a mustache, and a fedora.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)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place Described