Snoopy and Sacrifice: War, Patriotism, and the Legacy of Charles Schulz

Before Charles M. Schulz became one of the most beloved cartoonists in American history, he was a soldier. Drafted in 1943, Schulz trained as a machine gunner and served with the U.S. Army’s 20th Armored Division during World War II. By the end of the war, he had risen to the rank of staff sergeant and was among the American troops who entered Germany during its final collapse. Though he rarely spoke publicly about his service, those years left a lasting impression—shaping the quiet, introspective personality that would define both the man and his art.

It was this experience, coupled with his incredible sensitivity and storytelling talent, that led Schulz to explore themes of war, sacrifice, and remembrance in a unique and enduring way—through a beagle named Snoopy.

One of the most iconic recurring gags in Peanuts was Snoopy’s fantasy of being a World War I Flying Ace. First introduced in 1965, the storyline saw Snoopy transform his doghouse into a Sopwith Camel and take to the skies against his nemesis, the Red Baron. These strips were whimsical and fun, but also quietly profound. They gave Schulz a way to address war from a perspective that was imaginative yet emotionally truthful. Rather than portray violence or glorify combat, Schulz focused on the emotional life of a lone aviator—writing letters home, wandering the countryside, or sitting alone at a French café. The adventures were theatrical, but the feelings were real.

Interestingly, Schulz chose World War I, not World War II, as Snoopy’s battleground. This was likely intentional. The First World War, with its sepia-toned mythos and historical distance, provided just enough space for readers to engage without confronting the rawness of modern warfare. It allowed Schulz to explore universal themes—bravery, longing, camaraderie, and absurdity—without the heavy specifics of his own lived trauma.

Snoopy’s antics added a dose of lightheartedness and relatability to a subject that is often solemn and distant. Schulz used humor not to deflect, but to invite. Through Snoopy, war became not just a historical event or political tragedy—it became personal, emotional, and, in its own quiet way, healing. His goal was never to make war funny, but to make its emotional impact approachable for readers of all ages. For veterans, it offered a way to see their own stories reflected in a compassionate, almost reverent tone. For others, it opened a door to understanding.

The current Peanuts drawings generally do not explore themes of war and patriotism with the same depth, subtlety, or emotional resonance as they did under Charles Schulz's hand. After Schulz passed away in 2000, Peanuts entered a new era where no new strips were created—in accordance with his wishes. Today, the comic continues through reruns of classic strips and licensed artwork produced by the Schulz estate or associated artists (like those who design Hallmark cards, merchandise, or social media graphics). These modern materials often emphasize lightheartedness, nostalgia, and humor, rather than the more poignant or philosophical storytelling Schulz wove into certain storylines—especially those that touched on war, sacrifice, and remembrance.

Snoopy still appears in patriotic settings—often waving a flag, saluting, or dressed in a vintage pilot’s outfit—but these images tend to be symbolic, or commemorative rather than emotionally layered. They're respectful and often heartfelt, but they don’t carry the personal weight of Schulz’s original war-informed narratives. Most modern depictions avoid the quiet melancholy or emotional ambiguity that Schulz so carefully balanced.

That said, Schulz's legacy still shines through in rerun strips, especially around key dates like Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and D-Day, when newspapers or online pages might select historically themed panels (like Snoopy as the WWI Flying Ace or the June 6, 1993 tribute strip). It’s in these moments that Schulz’s original voice—shaped by real-life service—still speaks to audiences with dignity and heart.

Charles Schulz never glorified war, nor did he ignore its cost. Through Snoopy, he found a way to humanize the experience—blending humor, grief, nostalgia, and courage into something that resonated across generations. His was not a loud tribute, but a sincere one. With every strip, every silent panel, and every flight over no man’s land, Schulz reminded us that remembrance can be gentle, that courage doesn’t always shout, and that sometimes, a cartoon dog can carry the weight of history with remarkable grace.