Peace Quote by Rick Atkinson
““In a phone call one evening the corps commander grew incensed when Ward mentioned his good fortune in losing no officers in combat that day. “Goddammit, Ward, that’s not fortunate. That’s bad for the morale of the enlisted men,” Patton snapped. “I want you to get more officers killed.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Guns at Last Light, Rick Atkinson, 2013
The passage reveals a commander’s ruthless mindset that sees officer casualties as a morale tool, exposing the brutal calculus of leadership in war.
In simple terms: Leaders may view officer deaths as morale control.
Recognize the human cost of such attitudes.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- combat leadership
- training programs
- war reporting
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does leadership style affect troop morale?
- What ethical limits should exist in wartime decisions?
Such attitudes can erode trust and ethics.