The Press: G.I. Mauldin v. G. Patton

Lieut. General George S. Patton insists on spit & polish. Soldier-Cartoonist Bill Mauldin pictures G.I.s as grimy and unshaven. Patton recently threatened to ban Stars & Stripes from his Army area unless Mauldin’s well-plugged uglies tidied themselves up. Mauldin came back with a cartoon dig at the general. Navy Captain Harry Butcher, General Eisenhower’s top aide, told the two to get together.

Mauldin jeeped for 36 hours to reach Patton’s HQ, turned up scrubbed, shaved and saluting. Complained Patton: Mauldin’s cartoons were playing hob with morale; not every soldier could wash and shave every day, but some who could didn’t, just to look like Mauldin characters. Replied Mauldin in effect: the only Army morale his cartoons ever hurt is in high places. After 45 minutes with Old Blood & Guts, Young Gags & Grime emerged grinning, reported last week: “I came out with all my hide on. We parted good friends, but I don’t think we changed each other’s opinions.” Mauldin G.I.s remained unwashed, unsquelched.