And you could forget about Patton as well.
My next book purchase.
I’ve my dad’s framed retirement letter from USAF and it’s signed by Curtis LeMay or it’s at least his facsimile.
He was a brilliant guy, didn’t he practically invent and build SAC from the ground up?
It should always be noted that the American Left, funded and directed by the USSR, had been working the anti-war movement feverishly all through the 20's and 30's. Indeed, they were extremely active until there was an attack, but not Pearl Harbor. They changed 180 degrees when Hitler attacked Stalin. As more and more of the USSR was rolled up during the late summer of '41, they became extremely vocal supporters of going to war against Germany. Thus, the Left was quiet throughout WWII, not because they were American Patriots, but because they were loyal communists.
They immediately resurfaced as isolationists when the war ended and as vocal anti-war activists during Korea.
It cannot be stressed enough. Mr. Kozak stressed context. It is context, not current social standards, that must be examined.
My Grandfather went ashore on D-Day, H-Hour + 1, April 1, 1945 and fought all 85 days of the Okinawa battle with the 6th Marine division. It isn’t what we do know about that battle, but what we don’t know that is so important.
Okinawa authorities estimate 100,000 civilians perished, about 25% of the population. Some estimates put the total civilian loss at 1/3. While Okinawa was Japanese homeland, the Okinawa people were and still are culturally distinct from Japanese. While civilians in Japan were preparing to fight the Western invaders with bamboo spears, the Okinawa people did not. They died as the result of collateral damage, privation, and the murderous intent of their Japanese occupiers. If 25% of the Okinawa people died trying to stay out of the way, what would the death rate be of the true Japanese, armed with bamboo spears, willing to charge .50 cal machineguns? 50%? 75%?
We, Americans, also fail to recognize in our histories that of the 12,000 soldiers, marines and seamen who died at Okinawa, 4900 were Naval casualties. I don’t know the number of British deaths, but the Royal Navy suffered heavy Kamikaze attacks and losses as well as the US Navy. We do little service to our on losses when we forget these.
Finally, while American planners estimated another 1,000,000 American deaths, British planners were estimating their share of the burden would be an additional 500,000. Our other ally, Russia, did invade Japan and, had the war continued, would have wrought great damage to the civilian population; something akin to that reported by John Tolland in his “Last 100 Days” book.
Those who judge these things by today’s understanding are faux partiots.
The NappyOne
Hobson's choice. Thank God LeMay had the courage to make it (I didn't realize that he was only 38, makes me wonder what the heck I've accomplished with my life). Hindsight is always 20-20 in these situations, IMHO.
My Grandfather was glad when they dropped the big one. Meant he could come home from Europe, instead of shipping out direct for Japan.
Even though LeMay was nearly 200 years younger than Franklin, Jefferson, or Washington-and in a field (aviation) our Founding Fathers could only dream of-he, Patton, Nimitz, Chesty Puller, etc, would have been instantly recognized as kindred spirits by them. The men who won WWII were cut from the same cloth as the brave men on both sides of the Civil War, or who won the Revolution. And the average American civilian man or woman were on the same page in outlook and capability.
I know we have many of the same great breed in our current military—but now they are the exception, not the rule, and now the popular culture is 180 degrees out from what made us great. Is it any wonder why we’re in the shape we’re in?
Amazon listing: http://www.amazon.com/LeMay-Life-Wars-General-Curtis/dp/1596985690
Just finished it this weekend. Very smooth read. Mr. Kozak calls out the Dr. Strangelove image as a misunderstanding/mischaracterization of the man and gives fair treatment to his life and career. What amazing experiences and jaw dropping responsibility this man had!