Beetle Bailey is the central character in the comic strip Beetle Bailey. http://cartoonart.org/2010/04/60-years-of-beetle-bailey-a-tribute-to-mort-walker/ He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and is a private in the United States Army. Beetle is stationed at Camp Swampy, and his immediate superior is Sergeant Orville Snorkel. Officers on the base include Lieutenant Fuzz and Lieutenant Flap. The base commander is General Amos T. Halftrack.http://www.kingfeatures.com/features/comics/bbailey/charactMaina.htm

As a soldier, Beetle Bailey is lazy and resistant to authority. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/30/beetle-bailey-turns-60-no_n_698730.html Consequently, he receives frequent reprimands from Sergeant Snorkel.http://www.kingfeatures.com/pressrm/PRel7.htm Beetle always wears green army fatigues, and his eyes are hidden by either hat, or helmet. His friends include Rocky, Plato, Zero and Killer Diller. Beetle Bailey is also the brother of Lois Flagston, from the comic strip Hi & Lois. http://www.kingfeatures.com/features/comics/bbailey/charactMaina.htm

Beetle Bailey was created by Mort Walker. Originally named Spider, he was first depicted as a college student. http://www.mortwalker.com/mwinfo.html During that time period, the comic editor of the Saturday Evening Post was John Bailey. Bailey encouraged Walker to do some cartoons based upon his college experiences. Walker developed Spider, who appeared in several cartoons in the Post. http://cartoonart.org/2010/04/60-years-of-beetle-bailey-a-tribute-to-mort-walker/

Shortly thereafter, King Features Syndicate purchased the strip. Walker changed the character's name to Beetle, and added Bailey in honor of John Bailey.http://cartoonart.org/2010/04/60-years-of-beetle-bailey-a-tribute-to-mort-walker/ Beetle Bailey first appeared in 12 newspapers on September 4, 1950. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/30/beetle-bailey-turns-60-no_n_698730.html After the first year, King Features considered dropping the strip because of lack of interest. However, after the Korean War began, the college student character enlisted in the army. This caused newspaper circulation to climb dramatically. http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/09/offduty-beetle-bailey-at-60-comic-creator-still-going-strong-091310w/ Since then, Beetle Bailey has become the third most widely distributed comic strip in history. http://www.kingfeatures.com/features/comics/bbailey/about.htm The comic character celebrated its 60th year anniversary in 2010. http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-05-27-Beetle27_ST_N.htm

An animated television cartoon, Beetle Bailey, aired for one year in 1963. The voicings of Beetle and Sergeant Snorkel were made by Howard Morris and Allen Melvin. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195546/

"Sarge! I've had it! I can't take another step!" http://www.cartoonistgroup.com/store/add.php?iid=41894

"Sleep tight, Sarge, don't let the bedbugs bite!" http://www.chron.com/apps/comics/showComick.mpl?date=20101214&name=Beetle_Bailey

"I'm a goof-off for all seasons!" http://www.cartoonistgroup.com/store/add.php?iid=35685

"Yeah, but normal for me means stay in bed and sleep late!" http://www.chron.com/apps/comics/showComick.mpl?date=20110110&name=Beetle_Bailey