For over two weeks, the defenders of Wake Island held off a vastly superior force of Japanese ships and troops, inspiring the whole nation with their plucky spirit and sacrifice. Unfortunately, Navy leaders at Pearl Harbor, struggling to protect what was left of the shattered Pacific Fleet, canceled a relief mission, allowing the island and its defenders to fall without support. Wake damaged the long-standing trust between the Corps and the Navy, a memory that still rankles Marines and shames sailors.

Once you stop believing in Santa Claus, the whole world just goes downhill.

My life is a very simple life thank you

Success will ruin your life.

Morituri non cognant, perhaps. Those who are about to die — just don't know.

Most things in here don't react well to bullets.

I wanted to see my name on the cover of a book. If your name is in the Library of Congress, you're immortal.