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Age Quote by Curtis LeMay

“My solution to the problem would be to tell [the North Vietnamese Communists] frankly that they've got to draw in their horns and stop their aggression or we're going to bomb them into the Stone Age. And we would shove them back into the Stone Age with Air power or Naval power - not with ground…” quote by Curtis LeMay
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“My solution to the problem would be to tell [the North Vietnamese Communists] frankly that they've got to draw in their horns and stop their aggression or we're going to bomb them into the Stone Age. And we would shove them back into the Stone Age with Air power or Naval power - not with ground forces.”

Curtis LeMay

About This Quote

Source Speech: Military briefing, 1965

He advocated using air and naval forces to force the North Vietnamese into submission, avoiding ground combat.

In simple terms: Use air and sea power, not ground troops, to end conflict.

Key Takeaway

Consider strategic force choices carefully.

Themes

military strategy conflict resolution air power naval power politics

Mood

serious analytical

Type

historical strategic

When to use this quote

  • policy planning
  • defense analysis
  • historical study
  • military education

Key Concepts

deterrence escalation ethical warfare

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is air‑only strategy ethically justifiable?
  • What are the long‑term effects of such tactics?
A Different Perspective

Reliance on overwhelming force can cause civilian casualties.

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