Ernest King Quotes

It's going to be a long war. We will really hit our stride in about a year's time... Our two-ocean Navy is not yet in service. The smaller ships for it will begin to come into service around Thanksgiving or Christmas. The plain fact is we haven't got the tools. Some of our critics would have us do everything everywhere all at once. It can't be done with what we have to work with.

Our days of victory are in the making.

I'd say they started something at Pearl Harbor that they are not going to finish. We are going to win this war.

In the last analysis, Russia will do nine-tenths of the job of defeating Germany.

(1) Defensive phase... a boxer covering up. (2) Defensive-offensive phase... a boxer covering up while seeking an opening to counterpunch. (3) Offensive-defensive phase... blocking punches with one hand while hitting with the other. (4) Offensive phase... hitting with both hands.

Dear Mr. President: It appears proper that I should bring to your notice the fact that the record shows that I shall attain the age of 64 years on November 23rd next- one month from today. I am as always at your service. Most sincerely yours, Ernest J. King Admiral, U.S. Navy

CINCUS to Vandegrift for his flyers- Many happy returns Sunday and congratulations- Keep knocking them off.

Machines are as nothing without men. Men are as nothing without morale.

No fighter ever won his fight by covering up- by merely fending off the other fellow's blows. The winner hits and keeps on hitting even though he has to take some stiff blows in order to be able to keep on hitting.

The way to victory is long. The going will be hard. We will do the best we can with what we've got. We must have more planes and ships- at once. Then it will be our turn to strike. We will win through- in time.

There is work in plenty for all hands- officers and men.

I expect the officers of the Atlantic Fleet to be the leaders of what may be called the pioneering spirit- to lead in the determination that the difficulties and discomforts- personnel, materiel, operations, waiting- shall be dealt with as "enemies" to be overcome by our own efforts.

It must be the key idea of all hands that we will make the best of what we have.

I don't care how good they are. Unless they get a kick in the ass every six weeks, they'll slack off.

Anyone who won't take a chance now and then isn't worth a damn.