It is my deepest and saddest duty to report that: Sergeant Bill Mauldin has passed away. Today in California--the world-wide World War Two communities have lost a great buddy in the name of: Sergeant Bill Mauldin. Sarge passed away in an hospital of complications due to Alzheimers Disease. Sergeant Bill Mauldin was best known for his creation of the oft controversial WW2 G.I.'s known as: "Willie and Joe." He is also a Movie Star--as he played two rolls on screen. His first role he was a Union Soldier in the U.S.Civil War--as the Loud Soldier. He was 81 years young. Sergeant Bill Mauldin will sorely be missed not only by us--but also by MILLIONS of WW2 era G.I.s that are still living. As Willie and Joe would say: "Rest in Peace-Sarge." [ 22. January 2003, 06:52 PM: Message edited by: C.Evans ]
Very sorry to hear this. I have a copy of 'Up Front' by Bill Mauldin right here as I type this - his work will live forever ! [ 23. January 2003, 01:33 AM: Message edited by: Martin Bull ]
Also sorry to read this. His cartoons were some of the classic humour of WW2. The men of the WW2 generation are beginning to slip from our grasp - I urge all of you to speak to veterans while you can.
Thanks guys. Also--Crapgame had posted a site that contained many of his classic Willie and Joe cartoons. It is in Crapgames posting about Sergeant Bill Mauldin--and I think it is in the ww2 today section if you have the time to look. I plan on printing out some of these cartoons--and will be wearing them on a few T-shirts to show off.
Bill Mauldin Collection - Willie and Joe Up Front: http://ww2.pstripes.osd.mil/02/nov02/mauldin/index.html Bill Mauldin Stars & Stripes Tribute: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=12650
Timeless stuff - the one with the Cavalry Sergeant about to shoot his Jeep which has broken it's axle ; an absolute classic
Because of this thread--yesterday I went out and bought the last copy of: Bill Mauldins Army. It has many of his earliest works in it as well as many of the classical Willie and Joe scripts.