Best Stuff I've Seen (The Pacific)

When I stepped up to the table at the head of the line, a pretty brunette about my age (probably a student's wife) asked pleasantly what schools I had attended in the Marine Corps. I recited all the weapons and tactics schools we had in training.

She became more and more disconcerted as she looked in vain on her checklist for anything remotely resembling what I was saying. Finally, in desperation, she slammed her pencil on the table and said in a loud, exasperated voice, "Didn't the Marine Corps teach you anything?!" A gasp ran through the crowd, and you could have heard a pin drop. I didn't lose my temper, but I realized that, like most civilians, war to this lady meant John Wayne or the sweet musical South Pacific.

Slowly placing my hands on the table, aware that all eyes were upon us, I said in a loud, calm voice: "Lady, there was a killing war. The Marine Corps taught me how to kill Japs and try to survive. Now, if that don't fit into any academic course, I'm sorry. But some of us had to do the killing - and most of my buddies got killed or wounded".

She was speechless. There were many red faces among the obvious noncombatants present. I doubt if there were a half dozen infantrymen or tankers present.

- E.B. Sledge

China Marine pg 135

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Eugene
• Sledge
• The
• Pacific
• Episode
• 10
• Tom
• Hanks
• Joseph
• Mazzello
• WWII

[WastedPlatypus]

what book is the extract in the description from?? Id like to get it :)

[TuxIsCool]

@WastedPlatypus

continue

Both books are great! With the Old Breed is very descriptive about his experience in WWII. Worth reading very haunting and will make you enjoy laying in your bed and not having to worry about mortars screaming over your head for hours.

China Marine is great too. Talks about how they were sent there after Okinawa and exploring China after the war. But at the same time wanting go home someday. Goes into his life back in the states and meeting his future wife :-)

[brianlovescod]

That girl must be wet after that conversation

[MrGuitarfreak102]

the best line on tv ever

[thehotshirtguy2008]

@ktedgert two people were japs killed by sledge.

[sesanalorenzo]

I love that girl, she reminds me a friends (girl) of mine...same face same expression... by the way i dont think brianlovescod ever seen wetness...

[lonewulf44]

Who gives this a thumbs down ...really??! I wish the show took a more literal scene from the book and allowed the crowd around him to hear his response. Great though still ... Semper Fi!

[ktedgert]

One person failed the explosives course.

[SORT712]

@jonnyinferno297

You deserve to be shot.

[billybobboberson]

awesome

[jjjazzycraig]

she got all wet and turned on....sadly...this cuntry honors the wrong vets...the remfs....they forget the boots on the patrol...now this cunrty protects the enemy more than the soldiers it sends to fight them.

[JasonSnafuYap]

I learnt how to kill japs~