Sgt. Mike Viet Nam Humor

[AJ]

I received a scrap book from a fellow forum member. These are from Stars & Stripes and the author is Mike Hodgson. We thought they were good almost 50 years ago and still do. Several forum members think as I do, so here goes:

 

[Targets Guy]

Thanks for the memories.

 

[walkin jack]

Thanks! Keep'em comin'.

 

[sigp220.45]

I’m glad Stars and Stripes kept up the tradition of irreverent cartoons so ably fulfilled by Bill Mauldin during WWII.

Please keep them coming.

 

[Rudi]

Thanks for the memories.

Always loved those Bob Hope Holiday shows.

 

[Onomea]

Always loved those Bob Hope Holiday shows.

There's a lot of them, full shows, too, on YouTube.

Here's a short excerpt, Cu Chi, 1966: USO Christmas Show-Cu Chi, Vietnam 1966 - YouTube

 

[AJ]

Today's offerings

 

[crazyphil]

Those cartoons are reminiscent of the WWII cartoons with Willy & Joe,
by Bill Mauldin.

 

[AJ]

Those cartoons are reminiscent of the WWII cartoons with Willy & Joe,
by Bill Mauldin.

Yes, they are to a degree. They reflect their own times and values. Was there cartoons that applied to Desert Storm I or II, or Afghanistan?

 

[Greyman50]

One of the characters is named “ Sledge”, lol.

 

[6518John]

It’s interesting they are carrying M-14’s. I always identify the AR with Vietnam—too many movies—and forget we started with the M-14.

PS. What’s the Viet Cong troop carrying in the first set of cartoons with the straight stick magazine?

 

[AJ]

One of the characters is named “ Sledge”, lol.

Could be a reference to E.B. Sledge. He wrote "With The Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa". His nickname was "Sledgehammer". A good book have a copy.
With The Old Breed; At Peleliu And Okinawa by Sledge, E.B.: Near fine Hardcover (1981) First Edition, First Printing. | The First Edition Rare Books, LLC

 

[AJ]

It’s interesting they are carrying M-14’s. I always identify the AR with Vietnam—too many movies—and forget we started with the M-14.

PS. What’s the Viet Cong troop carrying in the first set of cartoons with the straight stick magazine?

A friend of mine still talks about how most of the Grunts were upset when they had to give up their M-14's.

No real answer for you other than that is the way the artist drew it. Since you can't see the muzzle end of the weapon it could be a Thompson. The VC had lots of odd ball weapons from WW II onwards.

 

[Golddollar]

PS. What’s the Viet Cong troop carrying in the first set of cartoons with the straight stick magazine?

It looks like a Finnish Suomi K-31. Maybe it got captured by the Russians in the Winter War of 1939-40 and sent to the VC when the Russians cleaned out their closets.

 

[AJ]

Three more..........

 

[Greyman50]

Could be a reference to E.B. Sledge. He wrote "With The Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa". His nickname was "Sledgehammer". A good book have a copy.
With The Old Breed; At Peleliu And Okinawa by Sledge, E.B.: Near fine Hardcover (1981) First Edition, First Printing. | The First Edition Rare Books, LLC

As long time US militaria collector, collected USMC 7.82 gear from WWII- Vietnam. Have a copy of “ The Devils Anvil” autographed by Sledge and few other Marines along with quite a few other good books on Marines in WWII. Also got paid by US Navy to display collection at air shows, the good ole days. Uniforms are original WWII USMC camo, A/C is made up one from the movie “ Tora, Tora,Tora, we knew the owner pilot.

 

[AJ]

Some more for today.

 

[AJ]

Just a few of us paying attention to this thread......

 

[Imissedagain]

My Mom knitted her kids hats that looked like the helmets worn in Sgt Mike.

 

[Retired W4]

It’s interesting they are carrying M-14’s. I always identify the AR with Vietnam—too many movies—and forget we started with the M-14.

PS. What’s the Viet Cong troop carrying in the first set of cartoons with the straight stick magazine?

I'm thinking Beretta 38/42, but there is only one trigger.

For those who were there, this book should bring back a lot of memories,