The use of cartoons to study the past has been shown to be critical when analyzing public opinion and trying to understand underlying cultural beliefs. Naval cartoons are one way to undertake and explore the human side of the submariners who served during the Cold War since the cartoons can reveal insights into their lives that would not otherwise be evident in written sources.
Examining the cartoons reveals three major themes in sailors’ lives: life in the Navy, relations with others, and violence and death. Together these allow one to understand the sailors’ world sincethe themes reflect and challenge social norms. Furthermore, these three themes along with oral histories highlight the shared camaraderie and bonds that submariners felt during and even long after their service.
The majority of cartoons gathered for this study come from magazines and newspapers published by the Navy as well as from ship cruise books. Furthermore, submarine patches and cartoons found aboard the USS Becuna were also analyzed.