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Mark W. Clark Quotes
1896–1984 United States
Mark Wayne Clark (1 May 1896 – 17 April 1984) was a senior officer of the United States Army who saw service during World War I, World War II and the Korean War. He was the youngest lieutenant general (three-star general) in the United States Army during World War II.
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They are men who paid heavily for their page in history.
Calculated Risk (1950)
World War II was an era in which America came of age as a world power. We had and we still have many lessons to learn.
I consider the South Koreans one of our greatest allies, a people who know communism and hate it and are not afraid to die fighting it.
A soldier's life in combat is an endless series of decisions that mean success or failure, and perhaps life or death for himself or his comrades.
Calculated Risk (1950)
Here was our only conquest: all we asked of Italy was enough of her soil in which to bury our gallant dead.
Calculated Risk (1950)
My doubts were based on my conviction that the Communist enemy is a voracious beast. The more he is given, the hungrier he becomes. And as long as we of the free nations continue to lead from fear, to react from fright, he will be a well-fed enemy.
This book is dedicated to the men and women of many nationalities who fought and died serving with the Fifth Army and the 15th Army Group, in Italy. Never did a commander have more to be proud of than I in being associated with these selfless individuals.
Calculated Risk (1950)
Korea was my first experience of fighting a shooting war and a conference table war at the same time. But I had two years of head-knocking with the Russians to teach me what it is that the Communists respect: FORCE.
Having seen the Red Army and Russian diplomacy in action, my own belief is that there is nothing the Soviets would not do to achieve world domination. But I am convinced that also that they respect force; perhaps they respect nothing in the world except force. And when confronted with strength and determination, they stop, look, and listen.
In carrying out the instructions of my Government, I gained the unenviable distinction of being the first United States Army commander in history to sign an armistice without victory.
But the foundation of ROK military power was the South Korean infantryman, courageous, tireless, hungry for the knowledge that would give him more power as a fighting man, disciplined and willing to die in the service of the cause for which his country fought and bled. You didn't have to tell a South Korean that communism was evil. It was an evil that had blighted his country and he saw it all around him, wherever he went.
To Renie, my five-star wife — who for thirty years has inspired me to do my utmost in the service of my country. To her love, courage, sacrifices, understanding, and guidance I attribute whatever success I may have achieved.
No war is ever fought exactly like any other before it, and history is full of stories of commanders who came to grief trying to follow an old pattern of victory once too often. Whatever is new in tactics, equipment, or method must be taught at the squad level before a soldier gets into combat.
On Memorial Day we visited the American cemetery at Anzio and saw the curving rows of white crosses that spoke eloquently of the price that America and her Allies had paid for the liberation of Italy. If ever proof were needed that we fought for a cause and not for conquest, it could be found in these cemeteries. Here was our only conquest: all we asked of Italy was enough of her soil in which to bury our gallant dead.
Calculated Risk (1950)
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