[72] For the Brigade’s task organization in detail, with names of commanding officers and strength of units, see [Appendix B].
General Cates was on hand at the docks from 12 to 14 July when the Brigade sailed. His long cigarette holders were famous, and no second lieutenant in the Corps could throw a more military salute. As he eyed the ground forces filing past, the Commandant could only have felt that Marine traditions would be upheld. A good many of the PFC’s, it is true, were too young to have seen action in World War II, though nearly all had been well grounded in fundamentals. Perhaps at the front they might become victims at first of their own over-anxiety. But they would doubtless grin sheepishly about it afterwards and become combat-hardened in a short time.
A glance at the NCO’s, the platoon leaders and company commanders of the Brigade could only have brought a gleam of pride to the Commandant’s battlewise eye. With few exceptions, they were veterans of World War II who could be relied upon to get the best out of their men. And it may be that the Commandant was reminded of the remark attributed to General William T. Sherman during the Civil War:
“We have good corporals and sergeants and some good lieutenants and captains, and those are far more important than good generals.”[73]
[73] Quoted in Lynn Montross, War Through the Ages (New York: Harper, 1946), 609.
Nobody could give a more smooth and eloquent talk than General Cates before a Washington audience. But when it came to saying farewell to the Brigade troops, he addressed them in the language of Marines.
“You boys clean this up in a couple of months,” said the Commandant, “or I’ll be over to see you!”[74]
[74] Geer, op. cit., 6.