Adventurousness and Aggressiveness - Flight into Fury

The comic “Flight into Fury,” published in The United States Marines No. 8, is an intense second person narrative which places the reader in the shoes of a pilot about to embark on his first mission after being shot down over enemy territory. The comic addresses issues of traumatic events and the questioning of one’s own abilities with some complexity and understanding, though the protagonist resolves his issues through bearing down and acting without regard for his own well-being.


"Flight into Fury," in The United States Marines No. 8, p. 21. (Government Comics, UNL Libraries)

The comic opens with the protagonist, who later comes to be known as Joe,[^] standing on a runway wondering, “Can you trust yourself?…You who remember so vividly that terrible - Flight into Fury,” and begins walking the reader through the terrifying memories that haunt the protagonist.[^] His self-doubt and the damage to his reputation are paralyzing. The next panel reads, “But mostly you remember the voices…the unheard voices that ran through your mind as you wandered around the base after returning to safety…” and a haunting dream sequence is shown across the panel, with disappointment, depression, mocking, and laughter.[^]


"Flight into Fury," in The United States Marines No. 8, p. 24. (Government Comics, UNL Libraries)

As a soldier on the ground, Joe withstands an intense attack, and he disobeys orders to hold the position and orders the men to move to a ridge in preparation for another attack. He questioned his own motives, saying “Why don’t you face it? You’re not thinking of the men…you’re thinking of yourself. You’re afraid to tell them they have to withstand another attack like that! You’re a coward…A COWARD! A COWARD!!!![^] On the ridge, additional troops converge on the location, and the protagonist, in a rush, turns and fires upon them. He is stopped when another soldier realizes that the troops are American.[^] His superior excoriates him, saying his decision to take the ridge cost them men and, because the enemy is able to bring up artillery, left their position almost hopeless.[^]

As these thoughts go through his head, he is faced with an opportunity to redeem himself. He spots an abandoned enemy plane and contemplates attacking the enemy artillery, while battling insecurity: “But do you have the courage? Can you step inside that thing and do the things you’re supposed to be able to do? Can you conquer your fears? Or are you going to be a coward all your life?”[^] The protagonist is hampered by self-doubt and doubts of his peers, and must do something drastic to win them over and assuage his own doubts.


"Flight into Fury," in The United States Marines No. 8, p. 26. (Government Comics, UNL Libraries)

Without much further narration, he is up in the air, searching for the enemy artillery. He destroys the installment and encounters some enemy MiGs, and is reminded of his painful past. He realizes that his back is against the wall this time. He receives enemy fire, but is still able to maneuver and attack the MiGs. He tells himself, “But this time you haven’t got a parachute! There is no escape! You have no alternative to death! All right, if you’re going to die, the least you can do is die like a man! You’ve certainly never lived like one!”[^] With the situation clear - kill or be killed - he finds new determination to take out as many MiGs as possible before he goes down. He shoots down another plane and then notices the remaining MiG running. He says, “He’s running! He’s actually running from me! He’s more scared than I am! He’s afraid of me!!![^]

The next thing he remembers after this triumphant realization is waking up in a hospital with an officer referred to as ‘the old man’ sitting beside him.[^] Joe learns that his crew was able to hold out for reinforcements thanks to his work.[^] The officer adds, “One thing I can’t understand, though, is how a guy who can fly like that didn’t stick to aviation,” prompting Joe to say that he found his own worst enemy, but “The guy is dead now…His name was Joe.”[^]


"Flight into Fury," in The United States Marines No. 8, p. 26. (Government Comics, UNL Libraries)

Joe is able to elevate above his own paralyzing memories and fear by just bearing down and pushing through, and engaging a deadly rogue mission to save his unit and make up for his mistake. He decides to “be a man” and block out any thoughts that would deter him, becoming a war hero in the process. The traits of aggression and courage are primarily displayed as the way to “be a man” as well as a successful soldier. His cowardice, on the other hand, cost the lives of many friendly soldiers.His prior lack of aggression had prevented him from being a man prior to this event, and this thrust of aggression and fearlessness was what he felt he needed to finally become a man.

Back to examples of Aggressiveness

"A’feudin’ and A’fightin’," in The United States Marines No. 8 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, c1952), 3–9.
"A’feudin’ and A’fightin’," in The United States Marines No. 8 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, c1952), 4.
"A’feudin’ and A’fightin’," in The United States Marines No. 8 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, c1952), 5.
"A’feudin’ and A’fightin’," in The United States Marines No. 8 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, c1952), 6.
"A’feudin’ and A’fightin’," in The United States Marines No. 8 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, c1952), 9.
Ham Fischer, “It’s All in the Family,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951).
Ham Fischer, “It’s All in the Family,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 2.
Ham Fischer, “It’s All in the Family,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 2-3.
Ham Fischer, “It’s All in the Family,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 3.
Ham Fischer, “It’s All in the Family,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 4.
Ham Fischer, “It’s All in the Family,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 5.
Ham Fischer, “It’s All in the Family,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 6.
Ham Fischer, “It’s All in the Family,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 7.
Ham Fischer, “It’s All in the Family,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 8.
Ham Fischer, “It’s All in the Family,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 10.
Ham Fischer, “It’s All in the Family,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 10-11.
Ham Fischer, “It’s All in the Family,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 12.
Ham Fischer, “It’s All in the Family,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 13.
United States Air Force, At the Ramparts - The United States Air Force Academy, 1959.
United States Air Force, At the Ramparts - The United States Air Force Academy, 1959, 8.
United States Air Force, At the Ramparts - The United States Air Force Academy, 1959, 13.
U.S. Department of Defense, Builders of Faith: The Moral and Spiritual Responsibilities of Religious Leaders and Citizens of All Faiths to Young Americans in Today’s World (Washington, D.C. : US Department of Defense, 1950s).
U.S. Department of Defense, Builders of Faith: The Moral and Spiritual Responsibilities of Religious Leaders and Citizens of All Faiths to Young Americans in Today’s World (Washington, D.C. : US Department of Defense, 1950s), 2-3.
U.S. Department of Defense, Builders of Faith: The Moral and Spiritual Responsibilities of Religious Leaders and Citizens of All Faiths to Young Americans in Today’s World (Washington, D.C. : US Department of Defense, 1950s), 11.
U.S. Navy, Dick Wingate of the United States Navy (New York: Toby Press, 1951).
U.S. Navy, Dick Wingate of the United States Navy (New York: Toby Press, 1951), 4.
U.S. Navy, Dick Wingate of the United States Navy (New York: Toby Press, 1951), 5-6.
U.S. Navy, Dick Wingate of the United States Navy (New York: Toby Press, 1951), 5.
U.S. Navy, Dick Wingate of the United States Navy (New York: Toby Press, 1951), 7.
U.S. Navy, Dick Wingate of the United States Navy (New York: Toby Press, 1951), 6.
U.S. Navy, Dick Wingate of the United States Navy (New York: Toby Press, 1951), 8.
U.S. Navy, Dick Wingate of the United States Navy (New York: Toby Press, 1951), 6-8.
U.S. Navy, Dick Wingate of the United States Navy (New York: Toby Press, 1951), 9.
U.S. Navy, Dick Wingate of the United States Navy (New York: Toby Press, 1951), 10.
U.S. Navy, Dick Wingate of the United States Navy (New York: Toby Press, 1951), 10-11.
U.S. Navy, Dick Wingate of the United States Navy (New York: Toby Press, 1951), 11.
U.S. Navy, Dick Wingate of the United States Navy (New York: Toby Press, 1951), 35.
U.S. Navy, Dick Wingate of the United States Navy (New York: Toby Press, 1951), 30-32.
"The Fighting Redhead," in The United States Marines No. 4 (United States Marine Corps/Life’s Romances Publishing Company; Chicago, n.d.), 22–25.
"The Fighting Redhead," in The United States Marines No. 4 (United States Marine Corps/Life’s Romances Publishing Company; Chicago, n.d.), 22.
"The Fighting Redhead," in The United States Marines No. 4 (United States Marine Corps/Life’s Romances Publishing Company; Chicago, n.d.), 23.
"The Fighting Redhead," in The United States Marines No. 4 (United States Marine Corps/Life’s Romances Publishing Company; Chicago, n.d.), 24.
"The Fighting Redhead," in The United States Marines No. 4 (United States Marine Corps/Life’s Romances Publishing Company; Chicago, n.d.), 25.
U.S. Army Recruiting Service, Five Years Later...Where Will You Be? (Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1962).
U.S. Army Recruiting Service, Five Years Later...Where Will You Be? (Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1962), 2-3.
U.S. Army Recruiting Service, Five Years Later...Where Will You Be? (Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1962), 3.
U.S. Army Recruiting Service, Five Years Later...Where Will You Be? (Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1962), 3-4.
U.S. Army Recruiting Service, Five Years Later...Where Will You Be? (Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1962), 5.
U.S. Army Recruiting Service, Five Years Later...Where Will You Be? (Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1962), 6.
U.S. Army Recruiting Service, Five Years Later...Where Will You Be? (Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1962), 7.
U.S. Army Recruiting Service, Five Years Later...Where Will You Be? (Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1962), 9.
U.S. Army Recruiting Service, Five Years Later...Where Will You Be? (Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1962), 16.
U.S. Army Recruiting Service, Five Years Later...Where Will You Be? (Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1962), 9-16.
"Flight into Fury," in The United States Marines No. 8 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, c1952), 20–26.
"Flight into Fury," in The United States Marines No. 8 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, c1952), 20.
"Flight into Fury," in The United States Marines No. 8 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, c1952), 20–26.
"Flight into Fury," in The United States Marines No. 8 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, c1952), 21.
"Flight into Fury," in The United States Marines No. 8 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, c1952), 23.
"Flight into Fury," in The United States Marines No. 8 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, c1952), 24.
"Flight into Fury," in The United States Marines No. 8 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, c1952), 24-25.
"Flight into Fury," in The United States Marines No. 8 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, c1952), 26.
U.S. Department of Defense, Four Futures: Pick a Professional Career and Plan with a Purpose (US Department of Defense, 1956).
U.S. Department of Defense, Four Futures: Pick a Professional Career and Plan with a Purpose (US Department of Defense, 1956), 1.
U.S. Department of Defense, Four Futures: Pick a Professional Career and Plan with a Purpose (US Department of Defense, 1956), 17.
Charles Biro, Foxhole on Your Front Lawn (Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1951).
Charles Biro, Foxhole on Your Front Lawn (Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1951), 9.
U.S. Navy, Judy Joins the Waves (Toby Press, 1951).
U.S. Navy, Judy Joins the Waves (Toby Press, 1951), 3.
U.S. Navy, Judy Joins the Waves (Toby Press, 1951), 3-4.
U.S. Navy, Judy Joins the Waves (Toby Press, 1951), 11-13.
U.S. Navy, Judy Joins the Waves (Toby Press, 1951), 12.
U.S. Navy, Judy Joins the Waves (Toby Press, 1951), 30-34.
U.S. Navy, Judy Joins the Waves (Toby Press, 1951), 11.
Alfred Andriola, “Kerry Drake in the Case of the Sleeping City,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951).
Alfred Andriola, “Kerry Drake in the Case of the Sleeping City,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 5.
Alfred Andriola, “Kerry Drake in the Case of the Sleeping City,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 6.
Alfred Andriola, “Kerry Drake in the Case of the Sleeping City,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 6-13.
Alfred Andriola, “Kerry Drake in the Case of the Sleeping City,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 15-16.
Alfred Andriola, “Kerry Drake in the Case of the Sleeping City,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 16.
Alfred Andriola, “Kerry Drake in the Case of the Sleeping City,” in Citizenship Booklet (Harvey Publications, Inc./Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense, c1951), 7.
Norvel E. Packwood, Leatherhead in Korea (Quantico, Va: Marine Corps Gazette, 1952).
Norvel E. Packwood, Leatherhead in Korea (Quantico, Va: Marine Corps Gazette, 1952), 36-37.
Norvel E. Packwood, Leatherhead in Korea (Quantico, Va: Marine Corps Gazette, 1952), 38.
Norvel E. Packwood, Leatherhead in Korea (Quantico, Va: Marine Corps Gazette, 1952), 39.
Norvel E. Packwood, Leatherhead in Korea (Quantico, Va: Marine Corps Gazette, 1952), 40.
Norvel E. Packwood, Leatherhead in Korea (Quantico, Va: Marine Corps Gazette, 1952), 62-63.
Norvel E. Packwood, Leatherhead in Korea (Quantico, Va: Marine Corps Gazette, 1952), 67.
Al Capp, Li’l Abner Joins the Navy! (New York, N.Y.: Toby Press, 1950).
Al Capp, Li’l Abner Joins the Navy! (New York, N.Y.: Toby Press, 1950), 4.
Al Capp, Li’l Abner Joins the Navy! (New York, N.Y.: Toby Press, 1950), 6-7.
Al Capp, Li’l Abner Joins the Navy! (New York, N.Y.: Toby Press, 1950), 7-10.
Al Capp, Li’l Abner Joins the Navy! (New York, N.Y.: Toby Press, 1950), 9.
Al Capp, Li’l Abner Joins the Navy! (New York, N.Y.: Toby Press, 1950), 11-12.
Al Capp, Li’l Abner Joins the Navy! (New York, N.Y.: Toby Press, 1950), 13.
Al Capp, Li’l Abner Joins the Navy! (New York, N.Y.: Toby Press, 1950), 14.
Al Capp, Li’l Abner Joins the Navy! (New York, N.Y.: Toby Press, 1950), 16.
Al Capp, Li’l Abner Joins the Navy! (New York, N.Y.: Toby Press, 1950), 20-30.
Al Capp, Li’l Abner Joins the Navy! (New York, N.Y.: Toby Press, 1950), 33.
Al Capp, Li’l Abner Joins the Navy! (New York, N.Y.: Toby Press, 1950), 34.
Al Capp, Li’l Abner Joins the Navy! (New York, N.Y.: Toby Press, 1950), 34-36.
Al Capp, Li’l Abner Joins the Navy! (New York, N.Y.: Toby Press, 1950), 32.
"Look After My Billy!," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 18–23.
"Look After My Billy!," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 18.
"Look After My Billy!," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 18–21.
"Look After My Billy!," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 19.
"Look After My Billy!," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 19–22.
"Look After My Billy!," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 22.
"Look After My Billy!," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 23.
Gene Ward and Milburn McCarty, The United States Marines No. 4 (United States Marine Corps/Life’s Romances Publishing Company; Chicago, n.d.).")
Gene Ward and Milburn McCarty, The United States Marines No. 4 (United States Marine Corps/Life’s Romances Publishing Company; Chicago, n.d.), 3.")
Bob Powell, The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952)
"Mister Marine Corps," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 24–26.
"Mister Marine Corps," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 24.
"Mister Marine Corps," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 25.
"Mister Marine Corps," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 25–26.
"Mister Marine Corps," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 26.
"Palau," in The United States Marines No. 4 (United States Marine Corps/Life’s Romances Publishing Company; Chicago, n.d.), 8–9.
"Palau," in The United States Marines No. 4 (United States Marine Corps/Life’s Romances Publishing Company; Chicago, n.d.), 8.
Pvt. Droop Has Missed the War! (United States War Dept. National Safety Council/Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1944).
Pvt. Droop Has Missed the War! (United States War Dept. National Safety Council/Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1944), 1.
Tony Di Preta, “Saipan!,” in The United States Marines No. 4 (United States Marine Corps/Life’s Romances Publishing Company; Chicago, n.d.), 15–21.
Tony Di Preta, “Saipan!,” in The United States Marines No. 4 (United States Marine Corps/Life’s Romances Publishing Company; Chicago, n.d.), 15.
Tony Di Preta, “Saipan!,” in The United States Marines No. 4 (United States Marine Corps/Life’s Romances Publishing Company; Chicago, n.d.), 19.
Tony Di Preta, “Saipan!,” in The United States Marines No. 4 (United States Marine Corps/Life’s Romances Publishing Company; Chicago, n.d.), 20.
"The Spirit of Semper Fi!," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 28–33.
"The Spirit of Semper Fi!," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 29–31.
"The Spirit of Semper Fi!," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 29.
"The Spirit of Semper Fi!," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 28.
"The Spirit of Semper Fi!," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 30.
"The Spirit of Semper Fi!," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 32.
"The Spirit of Semper Fi!," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 31–32.
"The Spirit of Semper Fi!," in The United States Marines No. 7 (United States Marine Corps/Magazine Enterprises; New York, 1952), 33.
Mart Bailey, “Tarawa,” in The United States Marines No. 3 (New York: New York: Magazine Enterprises, c1944), 3–9.
Mart Bailey, “Tarawa,” in The United States Marines No. 3 (New York: New York: Magazine Enterprises, c1944), 6.
Mart Bailey, “Tarawa,” in The United States Marines No. 3 (New York: New York: Magazine Enterprises, c1944), 9.
Dr. Seuss and Leaf Munro, This Is Ann (War Department; U.S. G.P.O., 1943).
Dr. Seuss and Leaf Munro, This Is Ann (War Department; U.S. G.P.O., 1943), 1.
Dr. Seuss and Leaf Munro, This Is Ann (War Department; U.S. G.P.O., 1943), 2.
Dr. Seuss and Leaf Munro, This Is Ann (War Department; U.S. G.P.O., 1943), 5-6.
Time of Decision (Department of the Army; R.O.T.C., 1963).
Time of Decision (Department of the Army; R.O.T.C., 1963), 2.
Time of Decision (Department of the Army; R.O.T.C., 1963), 4.
Time of Decision (Department of the Army; R.O.T.C., 1963), 5.
Time of Decision (Department of the Army; R.O.T.C., 1963), 6.
Time of Decision (Department of the Army; R.O.T.C., 1963), 7.
Time of Decision (Department of the Army; R.O.T.C., 1963), 8.
Time of Decision (Department of the Army; R.O.T.C., 1963), 9.
Time of Decision (Department of the Army; R.O.T.C., 1963), 10.
U.S. Air Force Academy (US Department of Defense, 1958).
"Vanguard of Doom," in The United States Marines No. 4 (United States Marine Corps/Life’s Romances Publishing Company; Chicago, n.d.), 44–46.
"Vanguard of Doom," in The United States Marines No. 4 (United States Marine Corps/Life’s Romances Publishing Company; Chicago, n.d.), 45.
U.S. Marine Corps, “Victory at Gavutu,” in The United States Marines No. 1 (New York NY: Magazine enterprises, 1943), 2–7.
U.S. Marine Corps, “Victory at Gavutu,” in The United States Marines No. 1 (New York NY: Magazine enterprises, 1943), 2–7.
U.S. Marine Corps, “Victory at Gavutu,” in The United States Marines No. 1 (New York NY: Magazine enterprises, 1943), 2.
U.S. Marine Corps, “Victory at Gavutu,” in The United States Marines No. 1 (New York NY: Magazine enterprises, 1943), 7.
U.S. Marine Corps, “Victory at Gavutu,” in The United States Marines No. 1 (New York NY: Magazine enterprises, 1943), 6.
This worldview is explicitly described in Builders of Faith, a pamphlet for military clergy.
"A'feudin' and a'fightin'" and "Flight into Fury" are the most notable of these.
The name 'Joe' is a nod to "GI Joe," which sought to establish the soldier as an ordinary man doing extraordinary things, someone anyone could identify with.
The name 'Joe' is a nod to "GI Joe," which sought to establish the soldier as an ordinary man doing extraordinary things, someone anyone could identify with.
I have explored the specific duties, meanings, and histories of the breadwinner role during this time period in the American Manhood section.
American soldiers in "A'feudin' and a'fightin'" and "Flight into Fury", among others, are celebrated for having a lack of concern for their own well being.
Beth L. Bailey and David Farber, The First Strange Place: Race and Sex in World War II Hawaii (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1994).
Beth L. Bailey and David Farber, The First Strange Place: Race and Sex in World War II Hawaii (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1994), 17-21.
Beth L. Bailey and David Farber, The First Strange Place: Race and Sex in World War II Hawaii (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1994), 19.
Beth L. Bailey and David Farber, The First Strange Place: Race and Sex in World War II Hawaii (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1994), 21.
Aaron Belkin, Bring Me Men: Military Masculinity and the Benign Facade of American Empire, 1898-2001 (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012).
Aaron Belkin, Bring Me Men: Military Masculinity and the Benign Facade of American Empire, 1898-2001 (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012), 11-14.
Aaron Belkin, Bring Me Men: Military Masculinity and the Benign Facade of American Empire, 1898-2001 (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012), 11-12.
Aaron Belkin, Bring Me Men: Military Masculinity and the Benign Facade of American Empire, 1898-2001 (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012), 12.
Aaron Belkin, Bring Me Men: Military Masculinity and the Benign Facade of American Empire, 1898-2001 (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012), 58.
Aaron Belkin, Bring Me Men: Military Masculinity and the Benign Facade of American Empire, 1898-2001 (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012), 28-29.
Aaron Belkin, Bring Me Men: Military Masculinity and the Benign Facade of American Empire, 1898-2001 (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012), 24-25.
Aaron Belkin, Bring Me Men: Military Masculinity and the Benign Facade of American Empire, 1898-2001 (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012), 25-28.
Aaron Belkin, Bring Me Men: Military Masculinity and the Benign Facade of American Empire, 1898-2001 (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012), 34-35.
Aaron Belkin, Bring Me Men: Military Masculinity and the Benign Facade of American Empire, 1898-2001 (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012), 25.
Aaron Belkin, Bring Me Men: Military Masculinity and the Benign Facade of American Empire, 1898-2001 (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012), 58.
Aaron Belkin, Bring Me Men: Military Masculinity and the Benign Facade of American Empire, 1898-2001 (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012), 67.
Laura A. Belmonte, Selling the American Way: U.S. Propaganda and the Cold War (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2010).
Allan Berube, Coming Out Under Fire (New York: Free Press, 1990).
Margot Canaday, The Straight State: Sexuality and Citizenship in Twentieth-Century America (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2011).
Steven Cohan, Masked Men: Masculinity and the Movies in the Fifties (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1997).
Robert Connell, Gender and Power: Society, the Person, and Sexual Politics (Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press, 1987).
Robert Connell, Gender and Power: Society, the Person, and Sexual Politics (Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press, 1987), 183.
Robert Connell, Gender and Power: Society, the Person, and Sexual Politics (Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press, 1987), 184.
Robert Connell, Gender and Power: Society, the Person, and Sexual Politics (Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press, 1987), 184-185.
Robert Connell, Gender and Power: Society, the Person, and Sexual Politics (Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press, 1987), 185.
Raewyn Connell, Masculinities (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1995).
Raewyn Connell, Masculinities (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1995), 45.
R. W. Connell and James W. Messerschmidt, “Hegemonic Masculinity: Rethinking the Concept,” Gender and Society 19, no. 6 (December 1, 2005).
R. W. Connell and James W. Messerschmidt, “Hegemonic Masculinity: Rethinking the Concept,” Gender and Society 19, no. 6 (December 1, 2005), 832.
R. W. Connell and James W. Messerschmidt, “Hegemonic Masculinity: Rethinking the Concept,” Gender and Society 19, no. 6 (December 1, 2005), 846.
Stephanie Coontz, The Way We Never Were: American Families And The Nostalgia Trap (New York: Basic Books, 2000).
Stephanie Coontz, The Way We Never Were: American Families And The Nostalgia Trap (New York: Basic Books, 2000), 31.
Stephanie Coontz, The Way We Never Were: American Families And The Nostalgia Trap (New York: Basic Books, 2000), 30.
Stephanie Coontz, The Way We Never Were: American Families And The Nostalgia Trap (New York: Basic Books, 2000), 36.
Stephanie Coontz, The Way We Never Were: American Families And The Nostalgia Trap (New York: Basic Books, 2000), 35-37.
Stephanie Coontz, The Way We Never Were: American Families And The Nostalgia Trap (New York: Basic Books, 2000), 29.
Stephanie Coontz, The Way We Never Were: American Families And The Nostalgia Trap (New York: Basic Books, 2000), 27.
Stephanie Coontz, The Way We Never Were: American Families And The Nostalgia Trap (New York: Basic Books, 2000), 25.
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K. A. Cuordileone, Manhood and American Political Culture in the Cold War (New York: Routledge, 2004), xx.
K. A. Cuordileone, Manhood and American Political Culture in the Cold War (New York: Routledge, 2004), 514-515.
K. A. Cuordileone, Manhood and American Political Culture in the Cold War (New York: Routledge, 2004), 516.
K. A. Cuordileone, Manhood and American Political Culture in the Cold War (New York: Routledge, 2004), 21.
K. A. Cuordileone, Manhood and American Political Culture in the Cold War (New York: Routledge, 2004), 134.
K. A. Cuordileone, Manhood and American Political Culture in the Cold War (New York: Routledge, 2004), 124.
K. A. Cuordileone, Manhood and American Political Culture in the Cold War (New York: Routledge, 2004), 105.
K. A. Cuordileone, Manhood and American Political Culture in the Cold War (New York: Routledge, 2004), 49.
Deborah S. David and Robert Brannon, The Forty-Nine Percent Majority: The Male Sex Role (Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1976).
Deborah S. David and Robert Brannon, The Forty-Nine Percent Majority: The Male Sex Role (Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1976), 90.
Deborah S. David and Robert Brannon, The Forty-Nine Percent Majority: The Male Sex Role (Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1976), 90-91.
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Deborah S. David and Robert Brannon, The Forty-Nine Percent Majority: The Male Sex Role (Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1976), 160-165.
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Robert D Dean, Imperial Brotherhood (Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press, 2003), 65.
Robert D Dean, Imperial Brotherhood (Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press, 2003), 7.
Robert D Dean, Imperial Brotherhood (Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press, 2003), 35.
Robert D Dean, Imperial Brotherhood (Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press, 2003), 35-39.
Robert D Dean, Imperial Brotherhood (Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press, 2003), 30.
Robert D Dean, Imperial Brotherhood (Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press, 2003), 13.
Robert D Dean, Imperial Brotherhood (Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press, 2003), 43-47.
Robert D Dean, Imperial Brotherhood (Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press, 2003), 36.
Robert D Dean, Imperial Brotherhood (Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press, 2003), 69.
Demetrakis Demetriou, “Connell’s Concept of Hegemonic Masculinity: A Critique,” Theory and Society 30, no. 3 (June 2001): 337–361.
Demetrakis Demetriou, “Connell’s Concept of Hegemonic Masculinity: A Critique,” Theory and Society 30, no. 3 (June 2001): 335.
Demetrakis Demetriou, “Connell’s Concept of Hegemonic Masculinity: A Critique,” Theory and Society 30, no. 3 (June 2001): 344.
John D’Emilio, Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities (Chicago: University Of Chicago Press, 1983).
John D’Emilio, Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities (Chicago: University Of Chicago Press, 1983), 40-43.
John D’Emilio, Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities (Chicago: University Of Chicago Press, 1983), 173-174.
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James Gilbert, Men in the Middle: Searching for Masculinity in the 1950s (Chicago: University Of Chicago Press, 2005).
James Gilbert, Men in the Middle: Searching for Masculinity in the 1950s (Chicago: University Of Chicago Press, 2005), 222.
James Gilbert, Men in the Middle: Searching for Masculinity in the 1950s (Chicago: University Of Chicago Press, 2005), 2.
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Joshua S. Goldstein, War and Gender: How Gender Shapes the War System and Vice Versa (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001), 299.
Joshua S. Goldstein, War and Gender: How Gender Shapes the War System and Vice Versa (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001), 267-268.
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Richard Graham, Government Issue: Comics for the People, 1940s-2000s (New York: Abrams ComicArts, 2011), 16.
Richard Graham, Government Issue: Comics for the People, 1940s-2000s (New York: Abrams ComicArts, 2011), 18.
Richard Graham, Government Issue: Comics for the People, 1940s-2000s (New York: Abrams ComicArts, 2011), 12.
Richard Graham, Government Issue: Comics for the People, 1940s-2000s (New York: Abrams ComicArts, 2011), 13.
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Robert L. Griswold, Fatherhood in America: a History (New York: BasicBooks, 1993), 88-89.
Robert L. Griswold, Fatherhood in America: a History (New York: BasicBooks, 1993), 93-94.
Robert L. Griswold, Fatherhood in America: a History (New York: BasicBooks, 1993), 94.
Robert L. Griswold, Fatherhood in America: a History (New York: BasicBooks, 1993), 207-210.
Robert L. Griswold, Fatherhood in America: a History (New York: BasicBooks, 1993), 141.
Robert L. Griswold, Fatherhood in America: a History (New York: BasicBooks, 1993), 201.
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Elaine May, Homeward Bound: American Families in the Cold War Era, Fully rev. and updated 20th anniversary ed. (New York  NY: Basic Books, 2008), 18.
Elaine May, Homeward Bound: American Families in the Cold War Era, Fully rev. and updated 20th anniversary ed. (New York  NY: Basic Books, 2008), 15.
Elaine May, Homeward Bound: American Families in the Cold War Era, Fully rev. and updated 20th anniversary ed. (New York  NY: Basic Books, 2008), 16.
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Traditionally, many women who exhibit masculine characteristics have been marginalized, although female embodiment of masculinity in some cultures can result in positive social status.
The concept of temporary masculinity for women is more fully examine in the Antifemininity section.
Robert Dean highlighted the story of the Aslop brothers, who used family connections with elite men in the military to gain waivers for hereditary conditions that made then otherwise ineligible. The brothers then made further efforts to gain actual fighting experience, as they felt social and familial pressure to engage in battle.
In 1947, the War Department was split into the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force and joined the Department of the Navy as the National Military Establishment (NME). The NME was renamed “Department of Defense” in 1949. My focus here is not on the specific agents or policies of any of these agencies, but on their existence and purpose as military entities. For the purposes of continuity and clarity, I use “Department of Defense” to refer to all of these Departments.
These groups drew much of their growing resistance from the experiences of the war and immediate postwar period. Working women were pushed out of the workforce when the GIs returned, African Americans had fought bravely for a 'Double Victory,' only to return to continue fighting inequality and discrimination, and homosexuals began to form a more cohesive identity through increased interaction, as well as direct and explicit discrimination through Blue Discharges and the Lavender Scare.