Aircraft Quote by Ernie Pyle
“Marines have a cynical approach to war. They believe in three things; liberty, payday and that when two Marines are together in a fight, one is being wasted. Being a minority group militarily, they are proud and sensitive in their dealings with other military organizations. A Marine's concept of a perfect battle is to have other Marines on the right and left flanks, Marine aircraft overhead and Marine artillery and naval gunfire backing them up.”
About This Quote
Source Book: War is a Racket, 1944 (essay collection)
Marines value liberty, pay, and the belief that in combat one Marine is always sacrificed, reflecting a proud, minority identity and a desire for coordinated support.
In simple terms: Marines cherish liberty, pay, and sacrifice, seeking unified support in battle.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the cost of combat and value teamwork.
Themes
military
identity
teamwork
pride
sacrifice
Mood
proud
reflective
Type
military
philosophical
When to use this quote
- combat planning
- leadership training
- inter‑service coordination
Key Concepts
combat psychology
group dynamics
military culture
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the belief in inevitable sacrifice affect Marine morale?
- What strategies can mitigate the sense of being “wasted”?
![“[I]nstead of the usual "Why can't we make movies more like real life?" I think a more pertinent question is "Why can't real life be more like the movies?"” quote by Ernie Pyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/94a/ernie-pyle-17548_december_i-nstead-of-the-usual-why-can-t-we-make_1187721.jpg)
