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a teenager, Ron
Marlett's sense of humor was influenced by MAD
magazine, especially the one-page cartoon strips contributed by Don
Martin. In 1970, Ron joined the Coast Guard and was stationed aboard
the 255-foot cutter Winnebago,
homeported at Honolulu, Hawaii. The following year, the Coast Guard
14th District Office was in need of a driver who would also serve as a
representative in their public relations office. Ron was chosen for the
position, and within a couple of weeks he was spending most of his time
answering phones and working on the monthly news magazine called Pacific Shield.
The public relations officer Lt Gary Boyer came up with the idea of
having Ron create a small cartoon strip that would run every month in
the Pacific Shield. Ron drew
a four-panel strip about coastguardsmen being inspected by two
officers, and
JO1 Jim Gilman wrote the dialogue for the characters. Gilman named the
tall, skinny ensign in the strip "Ensign Bafflestir." Ron liked the
name so much that in the next issue of the Pacific Shield, Ron presented the
strip as Ensign Bafflestir.
Ron took over the responsibility of writing his own storyboard and the
strip eventually became a full-page piece. Ensign Bafflestir became
famous within the Coast Guard, which allowed Ron to experience a
celebrity status during the next three years of his enlistment.
After
Ron's discharge from active duty in 1974, he pursued a career in the
fine arts and Ensign Bafflestir
was shelved. In 2008, Ron created a mixed media portrait of Ensign Bafflestir
that was fashioned after a painting of Vice Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson
and submited it along with information about the cartoon's
history to
Wikipedia. To read Wikipedia's article on Ensign Bafflestir, please go
to wikipedia.org
To enjoy the
cartoons, click on one of the pictures to the left.
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USCGC Winnebago - 1970
by Ron Marlett August
10, 2012 22 x30
Oil
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Now Hear This
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the world of Ensign Bafflestir, a lighthearted and humorous
tribute to the brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard.
I'm thrilled to share my cartoon strip with you, showcasing the amusing
antics of a group of fictional, albeit quirky characters set within the
maritime realm.
Please keep in mind that this is a work of pure fiction, intended
solely for entertainment purposes. The characters, situations, and
events portrayed in this cartoon strip are imaginative and do not
represent the reality of the Coast Guard or its personnel.
As an admirer of the Coast Guard and the crucial role they play in
protecting our shores and saving lives, I hold the utmost respect for
their dedication and sacrifice. This cartoon strip is simply a playful
take on the Coast Guard theme and is not meant to diminish their hard
work in any way.
I hope you enjoy Ensign Bafflestir as much as I enjoyed creating it.
Your support and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated.
Warm Regards,
Ron Marlett
Creator of Ensign Bafflestir
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