Courage  

It was late 1946. World War II was over and the hero's of the "Big One" were relaxing on board the U.S.S.Iowa. Present were Adm. Chester Nimitz, General Douglas MacArthur, and Col. Chesty Puller. The topic of this esteemed conversation was the level of courage in their respective services.

    Gen. MacArthur stated, "No other service has more courage then my beloved Army. We proved that in Germany as well as Normandy!"

    Adm. Nimitz responded with, "Douglas, you know better than that. At Midway, and also at the Mirianas."

    Chesty quietly said, "Guadalcanal, Bouganville." The three officers removed their covers a observed a moment of silence in respect for their fallen comrades.

    After a minute or so the conservation continued with Gen.MacAurther saying, "Gentlemen, your people were great in those campaigns, but man for man none are better the the U.S. Army and I'll prove it. Soldier!" He called to his aide.

    "Sir!" The aide responded.

    "Go to the top of the mast and jump off!"

    "Yes, Sir."The aide responded and off he went. Climbed the mast, reached the top and jumped the 100 feet to the wood deck."SPLAT!"

    "That, Gentlemen, is courage."

    "Not bad, Douglas."Adm. Nimitz said."But this is real courage. Sailor!"

    "Yes sir!"A nearby boatsman responded, snapping to. "Climb the mast and jump into the shark infested waters!"

    "Aye, aye, sir." And up the mast he went. As he hit the waters it wasn't long before they could hear him yelling while the sharks were eating him. "Well, Sirs, have you anything else to say."

    Chesty Puller smiled and turned to his shotgun. A big burly marine named Sgt. Jones. "Jones!" He called.

    "Yes, Sir!" Jones responded, assuming a rigid form of attention.

    "Jones, I want you stand in front of one of those 16 inch guns while they fire it." Jones looked at Col. Puller and responded, "I don't think so, Sir."

    "THAT, Gentlemen, takes courage!" The others had no choice but to agree.