73S State Papers and Addresses
America is on its way! From now on, it will roll in only one direction-
towards Tokyo!
When General Douglas MacArthur reluctantly left the Philippines, he
assured his heroic warriors on Bataan that 'he would return'. Today, with
all due caution, it can be predicted that the fulfillment of that historic promise
is under way. To men of the American Legion who, having seen action them-
selves in some of the greatest engagements in the world's history, know
what it means to dislodge enemies firmly entrenched, in strategic positions,
it is unnecessary to point out the magniitude of the pob ahead, or the probable
cost.
Needless, too, is it to emphasize to such a group as this the far-reaching
import of what is happening in the Southwest Pacific, where the United Nat-
ions, switching with dramatic suddenness from the the defensive to the offensive
have taken the nitiative over a vast area, and apparently have the ships, and
planes and men to retain it. For in offensive measures, and only in them
lies the seed of ultimate victory!
Finally, it is worth citing that the first successes in the Solomons, some
of the preparations for which took place here in our own State, at Solomon's
Island, Maryland, are tremendously significant because of the human, psy-
chological factors involved. On such factors depend America's whole hope
for Victory. The success proved, first, that America and the United Nations
have learned the technique of Victory. The coordination of sea and land and
air forces indicate how well Allied military and naval leaders have absorbed
the lessons of war as it has been developed today.
The successes demonstrated forcibly, for all the world to note, that the
American fighting man of today, trained through he was in the arts of peace
rather than in the ways of war, is more than a match, in mechanical skill, in
daring, in raw courage, for German or Jap.
The action fol the Solomons brings up to date the record of Valley Forge
and New Orleans, of Gettysburg and San Juan Hill, of Chateau Thierry and
Belleau Wood. It proclaimed anew to all the world what the men of the
American Legion and their brothers in arms has proven so thoroughly nearly
a quarter of a century ago - that, much as the people of America hate war,
they hate dictators and treachery infinitely more and will fight to the death
against them.
It gave unmistakable evidence that America's young manhood of today,
the sons and grandsons of that fighting clan of 1917-1918, not only will fight,
but that they will fight with all the fury that any slave-driven hordes can
muster, and with a final, decisive spark of valor that only men raised in the
atmosphere of liberty can achieve when their priceless freedoms are ruthlessly
attacked, and seriously menaced.
Yes the successes in the Solmons have served notice that America rebels
against the humiliations of Hong Kong and Bataan, of Singapore and Java,
Its people rebel against the tragic sight of fine American boys) and valorous
American women lined up hi miserable surrender before grinning Japanese
|
|