“We salute the rank not the man.”

That’s what officers must do – break the cycle of fear. If a soldier is concentrating on his own feelings and on his own fear, and he sees you moving around, he realizes that you’re sharing the burden with him. That’s why he can then move.

If combat had taught me anything, it taught me what was essential in life and what wasn’t.

Take a moment of self-reflection. Look at yourself in the mirror every night and ask yourself if you did your best.

War exposes the best and worst of those who are called to fight. I know of no man who lacked character in peace and then discovered his character in combat.

The paratroopers were the best soldiers at the infantry school and I wanted to be with the best.

A leader should strive to be an individual of flawless character, technical competence, and moral courage.

Very few men can remain poised under an artillery concentration.

Never, ever give up regardless of the adversity.

There is no need to tell someone how to do his job if you have properly trained your team.

Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and, departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time.

Physical stamina is the root of mental toughness.

If you have character, that means the guy you are dealing with can trust you.

War is romantic only to those who are far away from the sounds and turmoil of battle.

The men trust in you, have faith in you, and they obey, no questions asked. That’s character in a nutshell.

I would find a nice peaceful town and spend the rest of my life in peace.

The key to being a successful combat leader is to earn respect, not because of rank, but because you are a man.