George Rarey's War Cartoon Journals
September 5, 2003 12:06 AM   Subscribe

"In 1942 my father, George Rarey, a young cartoonist and commercial artist, was drafted into the Army Air Corps. During his service he kept a cartoon journal of the daily life of the fighter pilots. His journals are a part of his legacy to me - one that I want to share with others through this web page. Browse through his drawings and words. Their joyful spirit dwarfs the background landscape of war." via gmtplus9
posted by Stan Chin (15 comments total)
 
Very cool, style seems kinda tin-tin, the one of the P47 is great.
posted by zeoslap at 12:19 AM on September 5, 2003


Seems more Mauldin-esque to me, but that just seemed to be the style of the time; wonder what Rarey would've done if he'd lived to 81...
Good link, Crimson Chin.
posted by wendell at 12:54 AM on September 5, 2003


What an incredible man, and a great website..
posted by jontyjago at 12:56 AM on September 5, 2003


Great site. Thanks, Stan.
posted by plep at 1:35 AM on September 5, 2003


Wow, most impressive. Thanks Stan, this will make the day go right by.
posted by Dagobert at 1:46 AM on September 5, 2003


Superb.
posted by chrid at 6:17 AM on September 5, 2003


Great site... I found this particularly touching:

Rarey's letter: June 21, 1944.
Every night I crawl into my little sack and light up the last cigarette of the day and there in the dark with the wind whippin' around the tent flaps I think of you - of your hair and eyes and pretty face - of your lovely young body - of your warmth and sweetness. It isn't in the spirit of frustration but of fulfillment. I've known these things and knowing them and having them once, I have them forever. That wonderful look in your eyes when we'd meet after being apart for a few hours - or a few weeks - always the same - full of love. Ah, Betty Lou, you're the perfect girl for me - I love ya', Mama!

posted by cmicali at 6:24 AM on September 5, 2003


This is fantastic! The his reaction to the news of his newborn son got me all misty-eyed:

Rarey's letter: March 5, 1944.
Old Doc Finn trotted out two quarts of Black and White from his medicine chest, and we all toasted the fine new son and his beautiful mother...what a ridiculous and worthless thing a war is in the light of such a wonderful event - that there will be no war for Damon!
posted by botono9 at 7:03 AM on September 5, 2003


Fabulous...oh, what a great way to start the day...thanks much Stan. I'm so putting his book on my birthday wish list.

The last entry made me all weepy though...
posted by dejah420 at 7:36 AM on September 5, 2003


Yeah, I didn't expect to be moved by a Stan Chin post. Going through the cartoons and seeing so vividly how he tried to keep his sense of humor and humanity through it all, followed by the telegram, made, for me, a statement akin to the end of Gallipoli.
posted by soyjoy at 8:15 AM on September 5, 2003


Wonderful link, great story, great pictures, A+.
posted by vito90 at 8:35 AM on September 5, 2003


Excellent Post Stan!
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 9:59 AM on September 5, 2003


Awesome, Stan. Thanks!
posted by clever sheep at 12:06 PM on September 5, 2003


Thanks, Stan. Beautiful post.
posted by vorfeed at 12:14 PM on September 5, 2003


terrific!
posted by kevspace at 11:34 PM on September 5, 2003


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