Quotes from Jeff Shaara

Secrecy and deception in war is often how one wins that war. And it is my preference that we win this fight.

Is that not what a commander must do, earn respect, give them discipline and . . . love them?

the gift from Vergennes, staring

All right. They're on our left. They're on our right. They're in front of us, they're behind us. They can't get away this time." —COLONEL LEWIS "CHESTY" PULLER

Vegetables were almost nonexistent, and what passed for meat was either rancid or pure fat. The men were surviving on crackers and moldy flour. Lee was beginning to understand what this meant to the fighting strength of the army.

The Japanese have changed their radio codes, the call signals for their ships...They change their codes every six months, like clockwork. These codes were changed after four weeks...Logically, it means they're preparing for a large-scale operation.

Chamberlain

the troops should be housed in quarters that were thoroughly ventilated and disinfected. As a crowning touch of lunacy to the recommendations, the War Department advised that the soldiers avoid moving about in the sun, making every effort to move outdoors only in the coolest part of the day. It was certain that none of these medical people had ever been in a war.

Newspapers are a great place for cowards and malcontents to have their say.

Grant had begun to despise reporters, had grown weary of reading the fine exploits of the rebel armies, while his own victories were never "complete.

armies von Arnim

Two things an officer must do, to lead men. This from old Ames, who never cared about love: You must care for your men's welfare. You must show physical courage. Well

The best way to defend is to attack and the best way to attack is to attack. At Chancellorsville, Lee was asked why he attacked when he was outnumbered three to one. He said he was too weak to defend. —GEORGE PATTON

annoyance, Eisenhower knew that the prolonged

with one goal, seeking information of some movement of the enemy, whether anyone was shifting

Muscles Are Required, Intelligence Not Expected.

colonel, was outranked by both Puller and Litzenberg. But no one seemed concerned with the insignia

Washington had little use for that kind of humor, had learned in the war with the French that the men with the quickest wit around the campfire rarely made a solid impression in a fight.

General Lee, if it will please God, we will kill them all.

Make the fight, don't talk about it. You cannot imagine Ã¢â'¬Â¦ the volume of talk that flows around this place. Washington is like a barnyard full of braying mules Ã¢â'¬Â¦ and that includes most of my cabinet.

no one should have to be ordered to prepare for war. It's a dangerous world

Dammit, you've got a job to do! He tried to pull energy—confidence—from the faces of the others, even from men who had never done this before.

He slapped one hand against the breech of the Thompson, slapped again, pulsing frustration, and said aloud, "Dammit!

Every Marine was trained in handling a rifle, no matter what noncombat job he might assume down the road. Right now, at Hagaru-ri, every Marine was now a rifleman.