"Never before in the history of warfare has there been a more convincing example of the effectiveness of sea power than when, despite this undefeated, well armed, and highly efficient army, Japan surrendered her homeland unconditionally to the enemy without even a token resistance. The devastation wrought by past bombings plus the destruction of the atomic bombs spelled nothing less than the extinction of Japan. The bases from which these attacks were launched- Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa- were to have been the spring boards for the mightiest sea-borne invasion yet conceived by man. The "fighting fleets" of the United States which had made possible every invasion victory for America were ready and waiting. The Japanese had two alternatives; to fight and face destruction, or to surrender. The Imperial Japanese Empire chose to surrender."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Military leaders from the United StatesPeople from New JerseyUnited States Navy peopleAviators from the United StatesNavy Cross recipients
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Battle Stations! Your Navy in Action (1946), "The Surrender of Japan", p. 360
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_Halsey_Jr.
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
William Halsey Jr.
53 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by William Halsey Jr. →
Related Quotes
"There are no great men, there are only great challenges, which ordinary men like you and me are forced by circumstanc…"
"Dear Ernie, It has been an education, and a very pleasant one, to serve under you this past winter. May I thank you f…"
"Before we're through with them, the Japanese language will be spoken only in hell."
"Missing the Battle of Midway has been the greatest disappointment of my career, but I am going back to the Pacific wh…"
"To the officers and men of the United States Navy and Naval Reserve, with respect, affection, and gratitude"
"I don't want to be remembered as "Bull" Halsey, who was going to ride the White Horse. "Bull" is a tag the newspapers…"
"All this was long ago. Nearly two-thirds of my classmates are dead, and not one of us is left on active duty. But the…"
"Miles Browning, Paul Putnam, and I were still the only ones who knew our destination, so my order burst on the task f…"
"As the day passed, the lookouts' jitters became worse. Finally I sent this signal to the task force: IF ALL THE TORPE…"
"Kill Japs, kill Japs, kill more Japs!"