http://neveryetmelted.com/2007/08/31/stand-aside-this-is-ching/ The essential American soul is hard, isolate, stoic, and a killer. It has never yet melted. -- D.H. Lawrence Fri, 25 May 2012 12:39:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://neveryetmelted.com/2007/08/31/stand-aside-this-is-ching/comment-page-1/#comment-138317 Tim Sindt Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:23:53 +0000 http://neveryetmelted.com/?p=2913#comment-138317 It is ironic that the names of Ching Lee and Adm Fletcher are vaguely remembered, while everyone knows "Halsey of the Pacific", who blundered his fleet into not one but two typhoons which were well known, and fell into the trap at San Bernardino Strait in 1944, narrowly avoiding disaster. These men had seen huge changes in ships, distances, fire control and tactics, indeed Lee was one of only a few BB commanders in WW2 who engaged enemy surface ships and destroyed his enemy completely with trivial damage to his own command. Constant practice, ceaseless vigilance, and raw courage proved leadersip is not conferred, it is practiced till perfect. These stories should be read and remembered by those aspiring to leadership (although few of our present leaders have guts to go in harm's way). Like the captain of the Johnston, a DD who charged a battleship force in Leyte Gulf because she was the bravest ship in the area Halsey had abandoned due to hubris and Japanese deception, and had no chance of survival, real courage should be honored and remembered. Thanks for the article. All Americans should know these tales of true courage It is ironic that the names of Ching Lee and Adm Fletcher are vaguely remembered, while everyone knows “Halsey of the Pacific”, who blundered his fleet into not one but two typhoons which were well known, and fell into the trap at San Bernardino Strait in 1944, narrowly avoiding disaster. These men had seen huge changes in ships, distances, fire control and tactics, indeed Lee was one of only a few BB commanders in WW2 who engaged enemy surface ships and destroyed his enemy completely with trivial damage to his own command. Constant practice, ceaseless vigilance, and raw courage proved leadersip is not conferred, it is practiced till perfect. These stories should be read and remembered by those aspiring to leadership (although few of our present leaders have guts to go in harm’s way). Like the captain of the Johnston, a DD who charged a battleship force in Leyte Gulf because she was the bravest ship in the area Halsey had abandoned due to hubris and Japanese deception, and had no chance of survival, real courage should be honored and remembered. Thanks for the article. All Americans should know these tales of true courage

]]> http://neveryetmelted.com/2007/08/31/stand-aside-this-is-ching/comment-page-1/#comment-110130 James Hornfischer Mon, 08 Oct 2007 22:11:18 +0000 http://neveryetmelted.com/?p=2913#comment-110130 This is an outstanding speech. I would welcome the chance to cite it more fully in connection with my writing. If Mr. Houston would let me know the date and location etc. of his talk, I would be grateful. Admiral Lee was a great and gallant naval officer. This is an outstanding speech. I would welcome the chance to cite it more fully in connection with my writing. If Mr. Houston would let me know the date and location etc. of his talk, I would be grateful. Admiral Lee was a great and gallant naval officer.

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