America is rich and fat and very, very noticeable in this world. It is a forlorn hope that we should be left alone. - T. R. Fehrenbach

For the first time in recent history, American ground units had been committed during the initial days of a war; there had been no allies to hold the line while America prepared. For the first time, many Americans could understand what had happened to Britain at Dunkirk.

The problem is to see not what is desirable, or nice, or politically feasible, but what is necessary.

To continue to utilize the forces of our Air and Navy without an effective ground element cannot be decisive.