Source is
here.
Quote:
A STATEMENT ON THE SS FLAG FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS GEN. JAMES F. AMOS
2/10/2012
Headquarters Marine Corps Lt. Col. Joseph M. Plenzler
Headquarters Marine Corps
(703) 614-2326
joseph.m.plenzler@usmc.mil
WASHINGTON —
On February 9, I was made aware of an internet photo depicting Marines posing with a flag containing a Nazi symbol. I want to be clear that the Marine Corps unequivocally does not condone the use of any such symbols to represent our units or Marines.
The local command to which the Marines in the photo were assigned investigated this issue last November. They determined that the Marines in the photo were ignorant of the connection of this symbol to the Holocaust and monumental atrocities associated with Nazi Germany. To ensure the Marines involved fully understood the historical use of the SS symbology, a formal instructional class was prepared and delivered by unit leadership.
In order to ensure that all Marines are aware of the Marine Corps' position on this issue, I have directed that:
- My commanders investigate the prevalence of the use of SS or other unauthorized symbols within the reconnaissance and sniper communities.
- The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps immediately detach from his current duties in Washington, DC and personally meet with every senior Staff Non-commissioned Officer and Marine from our sniper and reconnaissance communities to reinforce my message and expectations.
- The commanding general of our training and education command review the current sniper school curriculum to ensure it contains prohibitions on the use of the SS symbol and other inappropriate symbols. On behalf of the Marine Corps and all Marines, I apologize to all offended by this regrettable incident.
-END-
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HOLLiS
Entire post.
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With respect, this post suggests a double standard. Civilians are often excoriated on this BB and others like it for their increasing neglect of the concept of personal responsiblity. Yet, when members of the armed services make the choice to behave in ways inconsistent with the values of the American professions of arms, there are those who say isn't such a big deal.
Nevertheless, this incident is a big deal. Not the least because it demonstrates, yet again, the persistence of enduring myths in America about Nazism despite the diligent efforts of German historians to understand their own past.
Moreover, the following statement is a questionable (i.e. ahistorical) speculation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HOLLiS
The other difference in WWII, if the editors of the NYT published stuff then as they do today, my guess would be: Americans would storm their offices, tar an feather the editors and run them out of town on a rail.
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As D.M. Giangreco points out in his study of Operation DOWNFALL, numerous broadsheets published articles, editorials, and letters to the editor that raised questions about the armed forces notwithstanding the efforts of the federal government and the armed services to frame public perception of the war.
For better and for worse, the journalism played a significant role in shaping the perception of hard line militarists in Japan of America's will to fight, and the viability of continued armed resistance.*
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* D. M. Giangreco,
Hell to Pay: Operation DOWNFALL and the Invasion of Japan, 1945-1947 (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 2009).