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No secret that the bloggers and web did a fine job of honoring my father upon his death. So, I hope you will all appreciate the post of the Naval Institute Blog Admin (me) with deep respect to Marine Corps General Victor H. Krulak and condolences to his family.
From Naval History Magazine:
The U. S. Naval Institute mourns the passing of Navy Cross recipient, strategic visionary and Naval Institute member Victor H. Krulak. Lieutenant General Krulak died in his sleep on the evening of December 29 at age 95.
Born in Denver, Colorado January 7, 1913, General Krulak graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1934 and served as a “paramarine” during World War II. His remarkable heroism in leading a diversionary raid associated with the fall 1943 invasion of Bougainville earned him the Navy Cross and a Purple Heart. Widely credited for his role in fighting post-World War II attempts to abolish the Marine Corps as a separate service, “Brute,” as he came to be known, went on to serve as a counterinsurgency advisor to the Joint Staff and to command Fleet Marines in the Pacific during the Vietnam War. His son, Charles C. Krulak, followed his father’s footsteps to the Naval Academy and Marine Corps, eventually serving as the Marine Corps commandant.
One of Victor Krulak’s lasting legacies is his Naval Institute Press epic First to Fight – a riveting insider’s chronicle of the unique esprit de corps displayed by U. S. Marines on and off the battlefield. Alluding to the general’s role in pushing aside arguments to do away with the Corps, Publishers Weekly called the book “the most complete account to date of the Marines’ struggle for the ‘right to fight.’ ” The texts’ lasting value is evidenced by its inclusion over many years on the Marine Corps’ Recommended Reading List.
In 2007, it was made required reading for all Marines. Explaining the decision, in the November 2008 edition of Proceedings, Commandant of the Marine Corps James Conway praised Victor Krulak’s admonition that Marines “must see no mission as too dangerous, no notice too short, no task too humble.” “Indeed,” observed Conway, “the nation expects her Marines to roll out fast and hit hard on the other end, and this is what makes First to Fight the marquee title of the Marine Corps Professional Reading Program today.”
In 2007, Defense Secretary Robert Gates praised Victor Krulak’s service, noting that the general’s life offered important lessons “about learning from the experiences and setbacks of the past, about being open to ideas and inspiration from whatever they come, and about overcoming conventional wisdom and bureaucratic obstacles thrown in one’s path.”
Though funeral plans are pending, it is anticipated a memorial service will be held at Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar in early January.
7 Responses to “Marine Corps Lt Gen Victor H. Krulak, 1913-2008”
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A great Marine has passed on, and now guards Heaven’s gate with his fellow fallen Marines. My sympathies to you and your family, sir
December 30th, 2008 at 7:52 pmOne of the great highlights of my active duty was a lunch I had out in town with Brute Krulak and his son Chuck when Chuck and I were students at The National War College. He was a quiet, sweet man, but I felt in the presence of greatness. God rest his soul.
December 30th, 2008 at 8:10 pmI just found my topic for this week’s Fullbore Friday.
December 31st, 2008 at 12:27 amAccording to the LA Times, Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Jan. 8 at the chapel at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-krulak31-2008dec31,0,3033208.story
January 1st, 2009 at 7:05 amExcellent obit in today’s Wall Street Journal.
January 3rd, 2009 at 11:20 amVoice Of Conservative America just visited your blog
February 6th, 2009 at 5:43 pmstood inspection at one time with General Krulak while serving with the 3rd. Batt/5th Marines, 1st Mar Div. FMF. I had been spit shinning my M1911 holster for weeks prior to the coming inspection. when finished it looked as though it has been dipped in the polish. it never looked so good. the General noticed it “three ranks over” as stated by him that day to me. I never forgot it. joining the Marines was one of the many good things that I have done in this life.
February 26th, 2009 at 8:43 pm