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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Pilot to Navigator--What's Our Position?
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Pilot to Navigator--What's Our Position?

Artifact ID1973.1.1746
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Date ca. August 1967
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 18 in x W 14 in (45.7 cm x 35.6 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ holds a small airplane ("Bombings Near Red China Border") around him as he stands on the tail of a large tiger with the face of a man (recognizable as Bobby Kennedy). He talks into the end of the tail. A small piece of paper “1967, The Register and Tribune Syndicate” adhered to lower right. Caption: “Pilot to Navigator--What's Our Position?”. Artist signature lower right: "Wallmeyer Independent Press-Telegram".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "To President Lyndon B. Johnson - best wishes - Dick Wallmeyer".
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 United States ensured that it would not want a war with China, which had just detonated its first atomic bomb in 1964, but also remained steadfast in its position on Vietnam.
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
China
Place of Publication
Long Beach
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