Bill Mauldin

William Henry Mauldin, born October 29, 1921, in Mountain Park, New Mexico, and died January 22, 2003, is best known for his World War II cartoons featuring the archetypal infantrymen Willie and Joe—two weary, bedraggled soldiers enduring the grim realities of combat with stoic humor. His work resonated deeply with troops across Europe and with American civilians, earning him two Pulitzer Prizes: the first for his wartime cartoons, and a second in 1958 for a domestic editorial. Possibly his most famous single image was created in the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination. Mauldin entered comics through his own experiences as a soldier, drawing for the Army newspaper *Stars and Stripes*. His signature style combined a loose, expressive line with a sharp, compassionate eye for the common man’s plight. After the war, he continued as a syndicated editorial cartoonist, collaborating with no notable co-creators but standing as a singular voice. His later work appeared in collections like *Willie & Joe: The WWII Years* and *Back Home*, and he contributed to titles such as *The American Legion* and *'68 Jungle Jim: Guts 'n Glory One-Shot*. Mauldin’s legacy endures as a master of the editorial cartoon, honored with multiple awards beyond his Pulitzers.