The mainstream press has made much ado about recently about “gutsy” calls made by our President and administration. Contrast these recent events with a truly gutsy call made by General Eisenhower in June 1944.
The Allied troops were preparing for a massive invasion of northern France. The Allied forces had spent months preparing for D-Day. Their plan was assault German fortifications across a 60-mile front in Normandy.
On June 5, 1944, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, commander of the invasion, gave the order: “OK. Let’s go.” After he gave the order, he went to his desk and wrote this note, to be used in case the invasion was unsuccessful:
"Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone."
Fortunately for American and the world, this statement was never used. Eisenhower’s words, however, remind us of the need for leaders who have the courage to make “gutsy calls” and then take responsibility for those calls, when necessary.
(H/T: American Patriot's Almanac, Bennett and Cribb)
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