His bloody-minded tirades against the Japanese had been received with enthusiasm, not only by Allied servicemen in the Pacific but also civilians in the United States. Like many celebrities, he had a famous tagline. “The way to win this war,” he said, “is to kill Japs, kill Japs and kill more Japs.”27 He signed off his messages: “Keep ’em dying.” Referring to atrocities against American prisoners, he declared ominously, “They’ll be properly repaid.” He told the press he intended to ride the emperor Hirohito’s famous white horse through downtown Tokyo, and had addressed himself directly to the
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