Tribute to United States Marine Corps
Marine Math
The Korean
War, in which the Marine Corps fought and won some of its most brutal battles,
was not without its gallows humor. During one such battle a ROK (Republic of
Korea) commander, whose unit was fighting along with the Marines, called
legendary Marine Chesty Puller to report a major Chinese attack in his sector.
"How many Chinese are attacking you?" asked Puller.
"Many, many Chinese!" replied the excited Korean officer.
Puller asked for another count and got the same answer: "Many, many Chinese!"
"!*#dammit!" swore Puller. "Put my Marine liaison officer on the radio."
In a minute, an American voice came over the air: "Yes, sir?"
"Lieutenant," growled Chesty, "exactly how many Chinese you got up there?"
"Colonel, we got a whole shitload of Chinese up here!"
"Thank, God!" exclaimed Puller. "At least there's someone up there who knows
how to count!"