[1] Elson entered the United States Air Force Reserve in August 1954 as a second lieutenant and served for two years.
Instead, the cover showed blood-red letters against a black background posing Elson's question, "Is God Dead?
"[1][4] The New York Times has called the cover "a signpost of the 1960s, testimony to the wrenching social changes transforming the United States.
[1] The Chicago Sun Times referred to it as "a debate that had shocked and confused millions of devout Americans.
"[5] One syndicated columnist, Jim Bishop, responded angrily to the article, pointing out that a recent Harris Poll showed that 97% of all American claim to believe in God.
"[7] The pastor further noted, "One is moved to ask whether the reporters were sufficiently well acquainted with the deceased as to be able to identify the corpse.