Bill Mauldin World War II cartoon exhibit up at Wheaton museum

The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park is featuring “Drawing Fire: Bill Mauldin and the World War II GI” as its summer exhibit.

Cartoonist Bill Mauldin’s work during World War II humorously captured the experiences of front-line soldiers. His famous characters, Willie and Joe, spoke for the GIs at the front, men who routinely faced danger and lived in the mud and muck.

In 1945, at the age of 23, Mauldin became the youngest Pulitzer Prize winner in history with his cartoon depicting American GIs and German POWs.

The exhibit tells the GI story using Mauldin’s cartoons and some of the museum’s extensive but rarely seen World War II collection. Visitors will see more than 40 of Mauldin’s cartoons and a variety of artifacts, including personal objects carried by soldiers, equipment, decorations and letters written home during the war.

In addition, an interactive sound machine allows visitors to hear German weapons and artillery that GIs would have faced.

“Mauldin’s cartoons are great because they are humorous but at the same time provide insight into the world of the World War II soldier,” said Teri Bianchi, exhibits manager at the First Division Museum.

“We hope his work will interest people and inspire them to learn more about the war and military history.”

Henry L. Knauber, World War II veteran, 1st Infantry Division, 16th Infantry Regiment from 1942-1945, visited the exhibit and remembers seeing the cartoons during his service.

“They bring back many memories, they sure do,” he said.

This summer, the First Division Museum hosts a variety of activities and programs related to the Mauldin exhibit. On Saturday, June 30, the museum will hold a World War II cartooning class. A morning session for ages 6-12 starts at 10 a.m., and an afternoon session for adults begins at 1 p.m. Registration is available at Cantigny.org or call (630) 260-8162.

“Drawing Fire: Bill Mauldin and the World War II GI” will be open to the public through Sept. 3. Admission to the exhibit is complimentary. Parking at Cantigny is $5. Annual memberships starting at $50 include unlimited free parking.