The World Around Us #11 The Illustrated Story of the Marines (1959) story page 4 by Kinstler

"The Halls of Montezuma" by unknown writer. Gilberton. Cover date July 1959. Twice-up.

The Marines are limited to guarding supply wagons during the Mexican-American War until they are ordered to storm Chapultepec Castle and fight their way into Mexico City. (GCD)

I like the line work. General Scott's face in panel 3 foreshadows Kinstler's work as a portrait painter. The castle in panel 1 is like something out of Prince Valiant and reminds me of Jabba the Hut's lair in Return of the Jedi.

Historical note: The phrase "to the Halls of Montezuma" in the Marine Corps hymn is a reference to the battle for the castle and the capture of Mexico City. The person called General Scott on the page is General Winfield Scott, who led the invasion of Mexico.

Abraham Lincoln, then serving as a Congressman, spoke out against the war, questioning President Polk's motives.

Army officers Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant distinguished themselves during the Mexican campaign. Grant later believed the war was morally unjust and that the territorial gains were designed to expand slavery. He said that the Civil War was divine punishment for US aggression against Mexico. (Wikipedia)

Kinstler started his career drawing comic books, paperback covers, and book and magazine illustrations in many genres. He's best known, however, for his portrait paintings, doing over 1200 portraits of leading figures in business, entertainment and government including official portraits of eight Presidents such as Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. (Wikipedia)