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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 Covering Me Boys!
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Keep Covering Me Boys!

Artifact ID1973.1.1399
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States)
Gifter
Medium Ink and applied shading on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 19 1/2 in x W 15 1/4 in (49.5 cm x 38.7 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. General LBJ carries a cannon ("Vietnam Escalation") from a manhole where three men (“Westmoreland”, “Humphrey”, “McNamara”) hold more ammunition ("Attack on the Critics") for a larger cannon. A bird with the head of a man (“Rusk”) is on LBJ's hat. Caption: “Keep Covering Me Boys!”. Artist signature lower right: "McK McVey Record Call (N.J.-N.Y.)”.
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. 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. The war attracted both Democrat and Republican critics due to the loss of life, cost to the economy, and ineffectiveness of stopping the spread of Communism. William Westmoreland was the commander of the US forces during the Vietnam War and Robert McNamara was the Secretary of Defense.
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 W.C. Westmoreland (United States, 1914 - 2005)
Person Referenced Robert McNamara (United States, 1916 - 2009)
Person Referenced Hubert H. Humphrey (United States, 1911 - 1978)
Person Referenced Dean Rusk (United States, 1909 - 1994)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
New YorkNew Jersey
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