Ernest King

Initiative means freedom to act, but it does not mean freedom to act in an offhand or casual manner.

— Ernest King

I don't know much about this thing called logistics. All I know is that I want some.

— Ernest King

Discipline is willing obedience to attain the greatest good by the greatest number. It means [the] laying aside, for the time being, of ordinary everyday go-as-you-please and do-what-you-like. It means one for all and all for one- teamwork. It means a machine- not of inert metal, but one of living men- an integrated human machine in which each does his part and contributes his full share.

— Ernest King

I don't care how good they are. Unless they get a kick in the ass every six weeks, they'll slack off.

— Ernest King

Don't tell them anything. When it's over, tell them who won.

— Ernest King

It must be the key idea of all hands that we will make the best of what we have.

— Ernest King

I expect the officers of the Atlantic Fleet to be the leaders of what may be called the pioneering spirit- to lead in the determination that the difficulties and discomforts- personnel, materiel, operations, waiting- shall be dealt with as "enemies" to be overcome by our own efforts.

— Ernest King

There is work in plenty for all hands- officers and men.

— Ernest King

No fighter ever won his fight by covering up- by merely fending off the other fellow's blows. The winner hits and keeps on hitting even though he has to take some stiff blows in order to be able to keep on hitting.

— Ernest King

Machines are as nothing without men. Men are as nothing without morale.

— Ernest King

CINCUS to Vandegrift for his flyers- Many happy returns Sunday and congratulations- Keep knocking them off.

— Ernest King

Dear Mr. President: Admiral, U.S. Navy

— Ernest King

(1) Defensive phase... a boxer covering up. (4) Offensive phase... hitting with both hands.

— Ernest King

In the last analysis, Russia will do nine-tenths of the job of defeating Germany.

— Ernest King

I have a philosophy that when you have a commander in the field, let him know what you want done and then let him alone. I have two other philosophies. One is: Do the best you can with what you have. The other is: Do not worry about water over the dam.

— Ernest King

I can best stress the importance of the U.S. Navy to the American people when I state that without sea power on our side the United States would never have become a nation, would not have continued to exist as a nation, and even more specifically would not have won the great World War just so successfully concluded.

— Ernest King

The part of the U.S. Navy alone in this war was stupendous. And I wish here to acknowledge our debt not only to the men and women of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and their several Women's Reserves, but also to those innumerable civilians who aided the Navy's war effort.

— Ernest King

On the evening of December 8, therefore, after the Japanese had bombed the airfields and destroyed many of General MacArthur's planes, our submarines and motor torpedo boats, which were still in Philippine water, were left with the task of impeding the enemy's advance.

— Ernest King

Well done, Frank Knox. We dedicate ourselves, one and all, to what surely would have been his last order- 'Carry On!'

— Ernest King

SUSPEND ALL OFFENSIVE ACTION. REMAIN ALERT.

— Ernest King

I'll never forgive the Army for not taking at least part of the blame for Pearl Harbor. That was why I didn't like Stimson.

— Ernest King

I didn't like the atom bomb or any part of it.

— Ernest King