#ThursdayThoughts

In our corps without responsibility and discipline we would not have won the Battle of Iwo Jima

 -LTG "Howlin' Mad" Smith

The raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years

-Secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal to LTG Holland McTyeire "Howlin' Mad" Smith



These two quotes taken together say a lot about the Marine Corps. Who they are, and what they mean to our country. They have achieved a great many things in the course of this nation's history. They would not have had the pattern of success that they enjoy without the hard work, training, discipline, dedication, leadership and heartbeat of every single Marine who ever wore the uniform.

Smith cited responsibility and discipline as primary factors in the Battle of Iwo Jima, one of the hardest fought victories in the history of warfare. Other things certainly came into play on those black sand beaches so staunchly defended by a fortified, entrenched, determined enemy (so determined that around 18,000 of the estimated 21,000 died during the battle. They were not about to give up. In fact, the last ones to be captured after coming out of hiding occurred in 1949). But the greatest factor in the commander's eyes was the responsible actions of disciplined Marines.

We can only hope that Forrestal's quote finds firm footing on the pages of history when looked back on many years from now. I have little doubt, if the Marines continue to act in the manner that Marines have acted since their inception, that they will last as long as this nation lasts.

God Bless the U.S. Marine Corps!