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Posted: 9/27/2001 11:49:11 AM EDT
I have a book on Carlson's Marine Raiders that I recieved from the Military Book Club.

Carlson seems to have been somthing of a left-wing kook. Part of the unit training included group discussions of what kind of society the Raiders would want after the war. One of Carlson's suggestions was a [b]$25,000 maximum wage[/b]. He was upset when most of the Raiders didn't agree on that one.

FDR's son was involved in the Raiders, and they were sort of a pet project of FDR's. Consequently, they recieved FDR's protection and recieved preferred equipment. They were fully equiped with M-1s when most Marines were still using 1903s. They had more automatic weapons than other Marine units. They also had some British .55 Boys AT rifles.

On Makin Island, Carlson proved to be an overly cautious commander. And, a few Japanese snipers were able to hold up the Raiders on a number of occasions, inflicting quite a few causlties in the process.

A movie was made about the raid on Makin Island during the war. It was called "Gung Ho" (the Raider's motto), and recieved critical acclaim. The Raiders felt it was very inaccurate, although Carlson had been a technical advisor, and several real Makin raid Raiders were on the cast.

"Gung Ho", by the way, is a Chinese term that means something like "working together", and it embodies Carlson's socialist ideals. It ia ironic that the meaning has been twisted around in popular culture . . .

Link Posted: 9/27/2001 3:54:56 PM EDT
[#1]
Well, that is a switch.  From what I gather, most of the prewar and early war generals of note were almost, if not in fact, Nazi sympathizers.  Patton was the most prominant, but I hesitate to name others - I have been wrong before.

Imagine that - a general officer bucking the current political trend in the open.  He would be crucified today.

I was in the Navy six years, and I saw little in the senior leadership that smacked of really independent thought.  I mean the running against the popular political trends of the day that might impede a career.  The Navy's reaction to Tailhook was a total surrender - did anyone resign in protest?  Same with alcohol use - Submariners "work hard, play hard, and drink responsibly."  WTF?  Say what you want about Hackworth, but he does have a good point on all this.  

Link Posted: 10/4/2001 8:21:21 PM EDT
[#2]
I don't think anyone has been critical of Hackworth in the past 20 years. First of all every soldier owes him a debt of gratitude. Reagen listened. So did the Military in General. It was a very long fight for Hackworth. But I would give him credit for being one of the Greatest Americans of All TIME.
He told the military it was wrong, when IT WAS WRONG!!!! Hackworth is Still fighting every day.  He is the Soldiers Soldier and he will never stop fighting for the guys on the ground. Never.  I am sure when he dies he will be given SaintHood in the Military.  Saint HackWorth, Patron Saint of the GRUNT.

Ben
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