If civilians are going to be killed, I would rather have them be their civilians than our civilians.

It all went back to problems we had talked about before, you know, such as the British not believing in formation bombing and not believing in daytime bombing... view

By: Stuart Symington

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In real danger sometimes even a democracy can really keep a secret... view

By: Stuart Symington

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FDR had been Assistant Secretary of the Navy. They told me, now forgotten, just how many pictures of ships they took out of the White House after he died. But he could choose good men... view

By: Stuart Symington

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In those days secrets were well kept... view

By: Stuart Symington

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My father-in-law was once Chairman of Military Affairs in the Senate, the latter part of the Wilson Administrations. He knew a lot about and was fond of the Army... view

By: Stuart Symington

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I had learned many years ago in private business never to take responsibility without adequate authority.. view

By: Stuart Symington

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I believe the military should be wary of diplomacy until war is declared.. view

By: Stuart Symington

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Mr. Truman studiously avoided giving power to his White House staff that has been characteristic of recent administrations. Staff people in the White House, with no responsibility but incredible authority is one of the reasons we're now in so much trouble... view

By: Stuart Symington

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Hardly had I left when we ran into the Korean war, doubled what I had asked for and doubled it again. I had told him I would stay in Government, be honored to, but not with the Air Force... view

By: Stuart Symington

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Sure, you would lose more bombers without fighters, but, flying in formation, you could get the job done... view

By: Stuart Symington

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But the Air Force was sort of a bastard child of the Army, much like the Marines with the Navy. Everything had to be done over by the Army after it had already been done by the Air Corps, a mess... view

By: Stuart Symington

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