“There are no great men, just great challenges which ordinary men, out of necessity, are forced by circumstances to meet.”
— Fleet Admiral William “Bull” Halsey, Jr., United States Navy
Artist and United States Navy Veteran, John P. Falter, illustrated several advertisements and posters for the war effort, including the one seen above of Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., which appeared in the Saturday Evening Post on November 20, 1943.
Included below is an excerpt from LOOK Magazine, which used the illustration for its cover on February 23, 1943, and included the background story in its ‘Contents’ page, under the section titled, “Behind the Scenes with LOOK”:
“COVER, by John Falter, shows Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., America’s 'fightingest' seadog. He became the Navy’s fifth admiral in November, after his epic defense of our hard-won positions in the Solomon Islands. When he took command there, the Japs were licking us. One month later they had fled in disorder, after losing 23 ships to Halsey’s inspired men in one battle alone.
“‘Bull’ Halsey is that kind of leader—tough, aggressive, daring. 'Defense' to him means 'attack.' He demands perfect discipline of his sailors and fliers, offering them in return all the action they can use.
“Last year, for example, Halsey led destructive raids on the Jap-held Gilbert and Marshall Islands, oversaw heavy attacks on Wake and Marcus, was invalided to Washington, returned as top Navy man in the South Pacific— and then routed the Japs in a violent series of sea-and-air battles.
“The restless Admiral was born 60 years ago in Elizabeth, N.J., was graduated from Annapolis in 1904, won the Navy Cross as a destroyer commander in World War I. He learned how to fly at 52 and later commanded carrier forces.
“He is informal, gruff, — and tattooed. He wears carpet slippers on the bridge when his feet hurt. His men love him; he reciprocates. Profound battle skill hides behind the offhand Halsey explanation of success: 'We violate all the traditional rules of naval warfare.' And, 'Whatever we do, we do fast.'“
Liberty comes at a price and the men and women who serve and have served our country are willing to pay that price for our freedom and peace. To all the military servicewomen and men — past, present and future — we thank you, we salute you and we honor you. God bless you all.