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Mauldin Stan (1920-2003)

Bill Mauldin (William Henry Mauldin) was an American editorial cartoonist who won two Pulitzer Prizes for his work. He was most famous for his World War II cartoons of U.S. soldiers, Willie and Joe, which offered a grimly realistic portrayal of life on the front lines. While his birthdate is often listed as December 29, 1920, several sources, including the Social Security Death Index and his New York Times obituary, record his birthdate as December 27, 1920. He was born in Mountain Park, New Mexico, though he spent part of his childhood in Amarillo, Texas.

Military Service and Willie and Joe

Mauldin enlisted in the Arizona National Guard in 1940 and served with the 45th Infantry Division. His cartoons, initially appearing in the 45th Division News, gained national syndication in Stars and Stripes during the war. Willie and Joe, weary, unshaven, and perpetually cynical, became iconic representations of the average American soldier's experience. They resonated deeply with troops and earned Mauldin both praise and criticism, with some officers disapproving of the unvarnished portrayal of soldier life.

Post-War Career

After the war, Mauldin continued his cartooning career, working for various newspapers, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Chicago Sun-Times. He also authored several books, including Up Front, a collection of his wartime cartoons, and A Sort of a Saga, an autobiography. He remained politically active, running unsuccessfully for Congress in 1956 and serving briefly as an aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Later Life and Legacy

In his later years, Mauldin struggled with alcoholism and other personal challenges. His final cartoon for the Chicago Sun-Times was published in 1991. Mauldin passed away on January 22, 2003, in Newport Beach, California, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. His work continues to be celebrated for its honesty and its enduring depiction of the human cost of war.

Unfortunately, information about social media presence for someone born in 1920 is unlikely. Archived materials, including his cartoons and writings, are available in libraries and research institutions. Specific details regarding recent projects before his retirement in 1991 would require further research.

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