With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa

by Eugene B. Sledge

“Listen, mate, everybody gets scared, and anybody says he don’t is a damn liar.”

As I looked at the stains on the coral, I recalled some of the eloquent phrases of politicians and newsmen about how “gallant” it is for a man to “shed his blood for his country,”

The words seemed so ridiculous. Only the flies benefited.

Possibly I lost faith that politicians in high places who do not have to endure war’s savagery will ever stop blundering and sending others to endure it.

I was never awarded an individual decoration, but the simple, sincere personal remarks of approval by my veteran comrade that night after Peleliu were like a medal to me. I have carried them in my heart with great pride and satisfaction ever since.