The Stamford Historical Society Presents

Pride and Patriotism: Stamford’s Role in World War II
Online Edition

On the boat to Naples
Overseeing the POWs
GIs’life in Italy
…many peculiar sites to see
…and more strange things to see
Cultural things in Rome
Sightseeing
…there was destruction everywhere
Reminders of Mussolini
The military … and ultimate sacrifices

From Mort Walker's Scrapbook 1945/46: Cultural things in Rome

Mort Walker

Mort Walker was drafted initially into the Army Air Corps in 1941, and later was part of the Signal Corps and Infantry before being shipped to Italy in 1945 on board the Mariposa, a converted luxury liner that also carried 100 nurses. Once there, he became of head of security for Ordnance Base #1 in Naples in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius. In addition to guarding ordnance, Walker oversaw 10,000 German POWs, mostly regular army and signal corps men. Upon his return to the States, he began Beetle Bailey first as a college strip, but later he had Beetle enter the Army, where he has been ever since. Beetle is currently the #3 strip in the world, and Walker was recently presented with a Distinguished Service Award by the Army.

guide post and map of Rome for the soldiers