https://taskandpurpose.com/news/marine-corps-retreat-hell-wwi/?amp=1
As iconic, and badass, as Williams’ words were at the start of that battle — “Retreat? Hell! We just got here!” — it’s his final words that speak to the caliber of his character, and mark him as a legendary Marine leader. Before he died, Williams was said to have told approaching medics, “don’t bother with me. Take care of my good men.”
A Marine officer showed up to the front lines of combat on this day 103 years ago and uttered one of the most badass and enduring quotes of all time: “Retreat? Hell! We just got here!”
The phrase ‘Retreat Hell’ has been the motto of one of the Marine Corps’ most-decorated infantry battalions for more than two decades, and has long served as a motivational quote to inspire Marines past and present. But on June 2, 1918, a captain named Lloyd Williams thought to say the iconic cool guy quote in the heat of battle during World War I, and in so doing cemented himself in Marine lore.
As iconic, and badass, as Williams’ words were at the start of that battle — “Retreat? Hell! We just got here!” — it’s his final words that speak to the caliber of his character, and mark him as a legendary Marine leader. Before he died, Williams was said to have told approaching medics, “don’t bother with me. Take care of my good men.”
A Marine officer showed up to the front lines of combat on this day 103 years ago and uttered one of the most badass and enduring quotes of all time: “Retreat? Hell! We just got here!”
The phrase ‘Retreat Hell’ has been the motto of one of the Marine Corps’ most-decorated infantry battalions for more than two decades, and has long served as a motivational quote to inspire Marines past and present. But on June 2, 1918, a captain named Lloyd Williams thought to say the iconic cool guy quote in the heat of battle during World War I, and in so doing cemented himself in Marine lore.
