U.S. ARMY TO HONOR BEETLE BAILEY CARTOONIST

U.S. ARMY TO HONOR BEETLE BAILEY CARTOONIST

STAMFORD, Conn. (Wireless Flash) -- The "Beetle Bailey" comic strip turns 50 in September but, at age 76, creator Mort Walker keeps soldiering on. Tomorrow, the U.S. Army will award Walker the Decoration for Distinguished Civilian Service, the highest military award a civilian can receive. Walker says he thinks the award is ironic since "Beetle Bailey" often lampoons military life. During the Vietnam War, peace activists thought the strip was anti-war while military folk considered it a slice of life. Although "Beetle Bailey" is seen in 1800 papers worldwide, Walker says he's never given the OK for a live-action TV series despite numerous offers -- partly because of ridiculous scripts including one in which Beetle is shipped to the Balkans, brainwashed and ordered to assassinate the president.