Bill Mauldin Interviews Rockwell Kent During WWII

In March 1942, famed illustrator Rockwell Kent visited Camp Barkeley, near Abilene, Texas. Camp Barkeley was the WWII training grounds for the 45th Division, and where Bill Mauldin was stationed at the time. Mauldin had been drawing pieces for the Daily Oklahoman, in addition to his work appearing in the 45th Division News, and the newspaper asked him to interview Kent while he was in the camp. Below is an article that appeared in the newspaper on March 24, 1942. Kent’s views about patriotism during this time are quite interesting.

ADDENDUM: It was brought to my attention by Michael May on the Thunderbirds, the 45th Infantry Division Facebook page that the article originally appeared in the Camp Barkeley News first, on March 20, 1942. Since that page has a much better image, featuring both Mauldin and Kent, I’ll use that one below instead.