Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
McNamara's Band
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

McNamara's Band

Artifact ID1973.1.1473
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States, 1905 - 1986)
Publisher (founded 1870)
Gifter
Date ca. September 1967
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 1/2 in x W 11 in (36.8 cm x 27.9 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A conductor (“Mac”) leads a band ("Military Brass") in playing a song according to sheet music ("Vietnam"). LBJ listens with a smile while another man ("Uno Who") says "That's Harmony?" and covers his ears. A small piece of paper “McNaught Syndicate, Inc.” adhered to lower left. Caption: “McNamara's Band”. Artist signature lower right: "Reg Manning”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at center left: "Regards to President Johnson Reg manning 11-11-67". Handwritten at lower left: [blue] “3 col”. Stamped at lower center: “Sep 14 1967”. Handwritten at lower center: [blue] “Mailing”.
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. 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 Robert McNamara (United States, 1916 - 2009)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Phoenix
Related Links