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Contact Info
Home Town Born Weatherford, OK. Raised in Manitowoc, Wis.
Last Address Died in Menlo Park, Calif. He was 81 years old.
Date of Passing Apr 27, 1988
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Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
LT. Jon Whitcomb WWII Combat Artist
(1906 - 1988)
Gained long-lived popularity for capturing couples in love for Community Plate Silver and covers for Cosmopolitan. Also had his own Cosmo column, "On Location with Jon Whitcomb," which he took over from Bradshaw Crandell. WWII service, first as a LTjg on a mine sweeper, then as a war artist (invasions of Tinian, Saipan, Peleliu). A skilled draftsman, he could capture cars and aircraft as well as a pretty face. Other story and cover work for slicks as diverse as Good Housekeeping, Collier's, McCall's, and Playboy. Other writing included short stories, children's books about poodles (Coco and Pom Pom's Christmas) and a book for glamour, All About Girls.
During World War II Whitcomb, at the age of 37, was commissioned a Lieutenant (jg) in the United States Navy. He made a series of illustrations for advertisements he created on the theme, "Back Home for Keeps," became a pin-up fad for women deprived of their husbands or sweethearts. His assignments varied from mine-sweeping duty to off the East coast, to the Public Relations Department in Washington, to the Pacific as a combat artist with the invasions of Tinian, Saipan, and Peleliu. After hospitalization for tropical infections, he was discharged in 1945 and resumed his art career.
After the war Whitcomb produced a series of articles and sketches about Hollywood stars for Cosmopolitan, called “On Location with Jon Whitcomb”. He continued to produce story illustrations and covers for magazines, including McCall’s and Playboy. He wrote some short stories, two children’s books, Coco, and Pom Pom’s Christmas, and a book on glamour, All About Girls. He was one of the founding faculty of the Famous Artists School.
Other Comments:
Western Caroline Islands Operation/Battle of Peleliu
From Month/Year
September / 1944
To Month/Year
October / 1944
Description The Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II, was fought between the United States and the Empire of Japan in the Pacific Theater of World War II, from September–November 1944 on the island of Peleliu, present-day Palau. U.S. Marines of the First Marine Division and later soldiers of the U.S. Army's 81st Infantry Division, fought to capture an airstrip on the small coral island. This battle was part of a larger offensive campaign known as Operation Forager which ran from June–November 1944 in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
Major General William Rupertus, USMC—commander of 1st Marine Division—predicted the island would be secured within four days. However, due to Japan's well-crafted fortifications and stiff resistance, the battle lasted over two months. In the United States, it was a controversial battle because of the island's questionable strategic value and the high casualty rate, which exceeded all other amphibious operations during the Pacific War. The National Museum of the Marine Corps called it "the bitterest battle of the war for the Marines".
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
September / 1944
To Month/Year
October / 1944
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories During World War II Whitcomb, at the age of 37, was commissioned a Lieutenant (jg) in the United States Navy. His assignments varied from mine-sweeping duty to off the East coast, to the Public Relations Department in Washington, to the Pacific as a combat artist with the invasions of Tinian, Saipan, and Peleliu. After hospitalization for tropical infections, he was discharged in 1945 and resumed his art career.
