During the tumultuous days of World War I, amid the sounds of tanks and the roar of battle, there was an unlikely hero: a black cat named Roughneck.
With his hollow eyes and battle-scarred attitude, this feline warrior became the mascot for the American Expeditionary Force’s tank unit.
But how did a cat find its place among the din of war machinery? Let’s take a closer look at this fascinating feline story.
The Birth of the Tank Corps
Tank units emerged as a new branch of the military during World War I. Captain George S. Patton, who would go on to be a part of military history, was the first officer to serve in the unit. Recruitment began in 1917, and Brigadier General Samuel D. Rockenbach, commander of the tank unit, meticulously organized and trained them, sending the first American tank unit to Europe in 1918.
The Artistic Origins of “Treat ‘Em Rough!”
Behind every iconic image there is a creative mind, and the Tank Corps mascot, the Black Cat, is no exception.
Joseph Cunningham: Illustrator
Beginning in 1918, Philadelphia cartoonist and tank crewman Joseph Cunningham flexed his artistic muscles. With ink-stained fingers and a vivid imagination, he created a design that would soon become synonymous with the unit: his black cat, fierce and tough, symbolized the spirit of a tank crewman: grit, mischief and determination.
Sergeant Henry E. Clark: Poster creator
But Cunningham’s creations didn’t stop in his sketchbook: Sergeant Henry E. Clark was inspired by the cat’s fierce face and transformed it into a recruiting poster: a black cat with its claws removed, beckoning young men to join the tank corps.
“Be rough with it!” was the slogan emblazoned on the posters. It was a call to action, a challenge to those brave enough to face the beast of mechanized war.
Origin of the slogan
Speaking of slogans, Cunningham himself is said to have invented the Marine Corps’ battle slogan: “Treat them tough!” A succinct command that encapsulated the Marine Corps spirit. It wasn’t about kindness, but about tenacity, tenacity, and the will to fight tooth and claw. Cunningham’s cat embodied this spirit, and the slogan reverberated through the trenches.
Rico Tomaso: Musical adaptation
As the war raged, another artist came into the spotlight: Rico Tomaso, ever the adaptable man who took Cunningham’s designs and wove them into history.
On the cover of the 1918 sheet music for “Treat ‘Em Rough,” a black tomcat charges at a Pickelhaube-crowned German eagle: music and art merge in a battle hymn made of musical notes and strokes of ink.
Searching for a feline mascot
In September 1918, The New York Times carried an interesting article reporting that soldiers in a New York tank unit were looking for a black cat. Why? Because a recruiting poster featured a fierce-looking black cat, and the soldiers thought it would be perfect to bring along a live feline mascot. Plus, it would make a great centerpiece for an upcoming charity event.
Mechanical black cat
Imagine this: A tank parked on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, across from the New York Public Library. Perched atop this terrifying machine is a mechanical black cat. As the tank’s engine roars, the cat arches its back, wags its tail, and mimics the firing of an imitation gun. The crowds rejoice at the contrast between the machine of war and the antics of the cat.
Crayon sketches by Gustav W. Hufal
While waiting for applicants for cats, a member of the unit, artist Gustav W. Hufal, took it upon himself to take action. He drew cats in crayon on a large board next to the tank. The men announced that they would pay $2 for each cat, but only one boy brought a shiny, well-fed black cat. Unfortunately, this cat did not fit the bill 😿
I’m looking for a cool black cat
The Tank Corps’ motto was “Take it easy!” and they wanted a cat that embodied this tough-guy spirit – one with a notorious look and a temperament to match.
In other words, they wanted a feline version of the cat in the poster. A chubby cat didn’t fit the bill, they needed a battle-hardened cat.
Roughneck: A Battle-Scarred Hero
Two days later, their prayers were answered when Roughneck, a battle-scarred, black cat with hollow eyes, appeared. He bared his claws and perched on a Whippet battery as 1,000 “Treat ‘Em Rough boys” marched down Fifth Avenue.
When the men saw Roughneck, they recognized him and greeted him with cheers, to which he replied by crouching down, ruffling his hair, and spat back at the group in a very cat-like salute.
Thus, Roughneck came to embody the spirit of the Tank Corps. He metaphorically rode into battle, and of course brought a bit of mischief and magic to the harsh realities of war. His legend lives on, reminding us that even in the darkest times, black cats can be a beacon of hope and friendship.
The next time you see a black cat, remember Roughneck, the unsung hero who roamed the streets with his tank, defied convention, and left his mark on history.
Note: The events described here are based on historical records and a bit of whimsy.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
Remember to stop and thank all the heroes who have fallen — not just today, but always.
With love, Layla Odin and Otto
P.S.: If you want some free Memorial Day cat art, check out some from our archives, including some Memorial Day cat meows.
And a bonus for my black crew Follow
