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.
Why That Interpreter?
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Why That Interpreter?

Artifact ID1965.28.355
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States, 1905 - 1986)
Publisher (founded 1870)
Gifter
Date ca. July 1965
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 bomb ("Military Force"), with a face and arms, pounds a table ("Defense of S. Vietnam") and shouts ("!!"). The bomb is shouting at two men (identifiable as Mao Tse-tung and Ho Chi Minh)("Asiatic Communist Aggressors") on the other side of the table. In the foreground, LBJ gestures to the bomb as he speaks to a man with the world for a head: "We've never found anyone else they could understand!" Caption reads: "Why That Interpreter?". Artist signature lower right: "Reg Manning [drawing of a cactus]".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "Sincere regards to president Johnson Reg Manning [drawing of a cactus] 9-26-65". Handwritten and stamped across bottom: "3 col" "Jul 29 1965" "Jul 29 1965 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, the year this cartoon was made, 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, 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)
Person Referenced Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam, 1890 - 1969)
Person Referenced Mao Tse-tung (China, 1893 - 1976)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Phoenix
Related Links