William Halsey Quotes

United States, Admiral
October 30, 1882 – August, 16, 1959.

Fleet Admiral William Frederick Halsey Jr., KBE (October 30, 1882 – August 16, 1959), known as Bill Halsey or "Bull" Halsey, was an American admiral in the United States Navy during World War II. He is one of four individuals to have attained the rank of fleet admiral of the United States Navy, the others being Ernest King, William Leahy, and Chester W. Nimitz.

I never trust a fighting man who doesn't smoke or drink.

William Halsey
- Men
- Fighting
- Navy
The only good Jap is one that's been dead six months.

William Halsey
- Months
- Six

There are no great men, only ordinary men, who have met extraordinary challenges.

William Halsey
There are no great people in this world, only great challenges which ordinary people rise to meet.

William Halsey
- People
- World
- Challenges
All problems become smaller if you don't dodge them, but confront them. Touch a thistle timidly, and it pricks you; grasp it boldly, and its spines crumble.

William Halsey
Strike fast, strike hard, strike often.

William Halsey
- Hard
- Strikes
- Navy
Hit hard, hit fast and hit often

William Halsey
- Firsts
- Hard
There aren't any great men. There are just great challenges that ordinary men like you and me are forced by circumstances to meet.

William Halsey
- Men
- Challenges
- Volunteer

There are no great men, just great circumstances, and how they handle those circumstances will determine the outcome of history.

William Halsey
If you want to go anywhere in modern war, in the air, on the sea, on the land, you must have command of the air.

William Halsey
- War
- Air
- Modern
The Marine Corps has just been called by the New York Times, 'The elite of this country.' I think it is the elite of the world.

William Halsey
- Thinking
- Country
- Marine
When this war is over, the Japanese language will be spoken only in hell!

William Halsey
- War
- Language
- Hell
[Admiral Nelson's counsel] guided me time and again. On the eve of the critical battle of Santa Cruz, in which the Japanese ships outnumbered ours more than two to one, I sent my task force commanders this dispatch: ATTACK REPEAT ATTACK. They did attack, heroically, and when the battle was done, the enemy turned away. All problems, personal, national, or combat, become smaller if you don't dodge them, but confront them. Touch a thistle timidly, and it pricks you; grasp it boldly, and its spines crumble. Carry the battle to the enemy! Lay your ship alongside his!

William Halsey
- Done
- Problem
- Courage
All problems become smaller if you don't dodge them but confront them.

William Halsey
- Success
- Action
- Problem

There are no extraordinary men... just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with.

William Halsey
Kill Japs, kill Japs, kill more Japs!

William Halsey
- World
- War