the only examples I've seen of Willie and Joe, the characters in the Stars and Stripes comic strip by Pulitizer Prize winner Bill Maudlin, as nose art

The 487th was so well known for their Bill Mauldin "Dogface" noseart, they became known as the "Dogface Squadron."

same ship 142 missions later:

With 98 missions on it's way to 100

For a look at the Willie and Joe cartoons: http://www.awon.org/willie/willie2.html

the guy who painted it - Sgt. Durley Bratton, a crew chief and artist from the 488th Bomb Squadron:

Thanks Steve for the extra photos and info!

-;

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