General Jim Mattis: An American Patriot

Opinion

General Jim Mattis
General Jim Mattis

USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- General Jim Mattis has served his country for his entire life. He is one of the most important and respected military leaders of the last half-century.

He also has the distinction of being the only person I know who has been fired by both Presidents Obama and Trump. In both cases, it was to the administration’s – and the country’s – detriment. However, in both cases, General Mattis also knew his duty was to the United States. That made him feel comfortable in disagreeing with his commander in chief.

I first knew General Mattis during the Iraq war under President George W. Bush, when Mattis was part of the Marine detachment in Kuwait. I was immediately impressed. I later watched him continually adjust and adapt in the battle of Fallujah, which led him to a decisive victory.

His 44-year career as a Marine, which began when he enlisted in 1969 at age 18, has been stunning. He led Marine forces on the ground in some of the most dangerous places on the planet – including Iraq in 1991 and 2003 and Afghanistan in 2001. His success eventually led him to become the Commander of all Marine Forces in the Middle East and later the Commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command, NATO’s Supreme Allied Command for Transformation, and U.S. Central Command. His non-combat service for the Department of Defense has been equally impressive.

I have greatly enjoyed and deeply appreciated working with him as he has served as U.S. Secretary of Defense. Few people alive today have embodied valor, courage, and sheer patriotism that matches General Jim Mattis.

One of my fondest memories with General Mattis was drinking wine and talking with him for a few hours after a meeting with then-Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain. When I told Mattis about my grandson’s fascination with Waterloo, he told me that he had never fully understood the conflict until he had read the Sharpe novel series by Bernard Cornwell about a British officer fighting in the Napoleonic Wars, which I passed on to my grandson.

I have come to know General Mattis as a remarkable intellectual – and perhaps the best-read officer the Marine Corps has ever produced.

The respect for him at the Department of Defense is tremendous. The respect he has garnered around the world – from both our allies and enemies is breathtaking. Anyone who questions his patriotism or service is simply wrong.

General Jim Mattis is an American patriot. We should all be deeply thankful for the lifetime of service he has devoted to our country – and saddened that his service as Secretary of Defense has come to an end.

Your Friend,
Newt


Newt Gingrich
Newt Gingrich

P.S. My new book, Trump’s America: The Truth About Our Nation’s Great Comeback is out and available for order.

About Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich is well-known as the architect of the “Contract with America” that led the Republican Party to victory in 1994 by capturing the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in forty years. After he was elected Speaker, he disrupted the status quo by moving power out of Washington and back to the American people.

Gingrich Productions is a performance and production company featuring the work of Newt Gingrich and Callista Gingrich. Visit : www.gingrichproductions.com

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Mike

Old Marine – sure, I’ll replace ex-General Mattis: I’ll shut down 100% of our bases around the world and bring home the troops and put them on our southern border. North and South Korea will be on their own, they’ll settle their differences without our help. Israel will be stripped of ALL military assistance and sent a bill for past assistance. Europe will be missing all of our army and air force installations with a bill sent to them for past assistance. I’ll install two men in a pup tent, at 100-yard intervals, from the Gulf of Mexico to the… Read more »

Oldmarine

Oldmarine >>> Mike
You comment seems more emotional than logical.
My suggestion is that YOU should run for President !!!

Dave in Fairfax

Old Marine, I’d rather that he not be President, if that’s alright with you. Isolationism sounds great. You retire from the world and pull the hole in after you. It doesn’t work, and I’m sure that you and everyone else here who has served knows why. The world always comes calling and they aren’t bringing a dish to pass. Most people don’t enjoy killing, especially those who’ve done it. Evenso, there is a time and place for it; sooner rather than later, and further from home rather than at home works best. That puts the lie to isolationism working out… Read more »

Oldmarine

Oldmarine >>> Dave in Fairfax That is very true to most people but not all. Especially this generation taking over our country. I spent 20 years with Marines from Korea and including Nam. I found that not two men were alike each with a different outlook on their lives. When I was in we still had WWII Marines in the Corps and some of them were very deadly to cross but some were more forgiving. When I was a buck sergeant I worked for a Gunnery Sgt that had been hit badly in direct contact with wall to wall Chinese.… Read more »

Dave in Fairfax

My FIL was under Terry Allen as well. 104th I CO, Timberwolves. Gen York(Grandson of Sgt) was in charge of them until about 1/2 a decade ago.

Nottinghill

Does anyone remember the advice Mattis gave Trump on Cilil Unrest and the 2A? Where was Mattis’ support for his countrymen? Does anyone remember the times Mattis added to embarrassment of Trump and the US. He’s f@cking Globalist like Ike. Mattis, Ike just like Wilson only spoke up after they had been handed their hat.

Old Marine

Oldmarine >>> Grim This is off the subject of these comments and I apoligize to those who might be bored. I agree with you 100%. Some people need killing but there is always some who are pussies and always stick up for the bad guys. Makes you wonder if they really have a heart or just convincing themselves. Nobody worships generals that are good. they are respected. Disrespect for all officers is actually disrespect for your country. I am sure that former Army Officers such as Wild Bill is used to disrespect from shit-birds, whiners, and down right cowards. I… Read more »

Old Marine

Oldmarine >>> Nottinghill You can have your opinion but not built on fact but instead guess work. I am sorry sir but I reprieve that your experience is with the Army which is huge compared to the Corps. I can remember when we only had 5 four stars in the Corps. The Corps is to small for petty games of screwing someone over. Because the Corps is Small we get to know a lot of the other combatants including the Generals. If there is any squabbling is usually at company level. You joke about going in first well that’s because… Read more »

Nottinghill

@Old Marine: Marines do all the fighting? NO I don’t think so!! So don’t take credit for something like that in war, SIR. You miss the point, Sir. Don’t worship OFFICERS, that reserved for God, SIR. Don’t call me SIR. Call me Mister., Call me ASSHOLE. But never ever call me sir, Mattis played the game and played the lifer game also. Those that make it to command past a full bird. Are no better than politicians. Most are dirty, take kickbacks just like any other dirty politician. I should also mention they do all the dirty sh!t enlisted men… Read more »

Old Marine

Oldmarine >>>> Wild Bill Hey, Bill I’ll tell you about Mattis, He is from the old school and has earned the nickname with Marines as ” The Warrior Monk “. The reason for that is because he is very much like Chesty Puller. There are “LEADERS” and then there are “leaders”. An old school leader is always in the front of his command. He has never been involved with the financial side of the military. His objective has always been to make his troops more lethal than the enemy. He dedicated his life to the study of warfare in all… Read more »

Nottinghill

Most marines have sh!t for brains. Gyrine! That’s why they go in first. Jokes aside… just because he was general does not mean jack. If he served honorably… hoof@ckingrah! But Officers past the rank of 03 are lifers in it for the politics, the big pension and the base home comforts. If he was a useless dick. Then he was a useless career ending dick like a lot of occifers of high rank. Officers eat their own. Some enlisted too. How many command rank officers have ruined the lives of many of their own and untold numbers of enlisted. Hmmm… Read more »

Old Marine

Oldmarine >>> Nottinghill

reread my Comment again:

I never said Marines Do all the fighting
I never said anyone should worship Officers.
I never said anything against the 2nd amendment.
I said I respect all Veterans.
I said that the 2nd protects the first.

Please reread my comments
Do not put your feelings and words as mine.
Respect is not given but earned.
“OORAH”

Timothy Votaw

Amazing, some of these comments. No wonder the Leftists just laugh at us in derision; some of these remarks even seem like those a Leftist would make. I wonder if even one of these commenters has ever gone in harm’s way, e.g. combat, not just served in military, but actually fought? I guess it takes all kinds. Thankfully, the First Amendment allows even dolts to make themselves known. . I never served with or under Jim Mattis, but I have known men like him during my time as a Marine, and it is because of us, and what we do… Read more »

Old Marine

Oldmarine >>> Timothy Votaw
I know what you mean but the Military always suffers the opinions of fools.
Hang in there Marine everything changes with time.
“OORAH”

Grim

If you are a warrior, be a warrior. If you are a pussy, criticize Mattis.

tomcat

@ Grim You are a pussie if you have to immediately accuse someone of being one. I am a vet and I think what I said is applicable to his juncture in life. If you don’t understand the words I am using get a dictionary. My opinion is just as relevant as yours, mr. keyboard warrior.

Grim

@tomcat – you sound a little pussy-ish in your response.

Wild Bill

@Gentlemen, I don’t think that we are in an era that precludes examination of our careers. Mattis was a Marine. I never served under him directly. So I can not say, but he is tied pretty close to the Military/Industrial complex that Pres. Eisenhower warned us about. We will know more when he gets his next job. Here is what one of my former Brigade Commanders advises, “Since the 1980s senior military officers have been encouraged to attend Ivy League schools for sabbaticals and to boondoggles were funded for associations with liberal think tanks with a globalist agenda. Those who… Read more »

tomcat

Matis has been a General too long and he thinks that whatever he says is the absolute way it should be. If he couldn’t get along with presidents from two different forks in the road then he needs to reevaluate his stance. I am not saying he was not a good patriot or not a good leader in the military but he was not bendable in civilian duty.

Country Boy

Often the military’s view is much different from the political view when it comes to kicking ass. I wish you were still in the fight.
Thank You for your service to your country and May God Bless You and Yours General Mattis.

Old Marine

Oldmarine >>> Country Boy
Thank you for your comment.

Glenn

A real American would repudiate praise from Newt!

Justista

Shows what you know about real Americans.
I bet you are one of those people who come here and kick the NRA in the nuts too.
Real Americans are on to you and your type.

Nottinghill

Yep! Being right sometimes doesn’t make it praise worthy. Look at Alan Keyes a damn fool. He’s how we got Barry via the GOP. I don’t praise Trump, Pence or the NRA. But that’s another thread. Killing out of necessity and preservation of life is honorable. Killing for fun makes you a psycho/socio-path. This 21st century acceptance of bragging about kills is sick and insane. As many people that Audie Murphy killed in battle was something he found bragging about very detestable. Most of the generals/admirals since Vietnam don’t deserve to shine his boots including Mattis, McChrystal, Powell or Patraeus… Read more »

Timothy-Allen Albertson

Hopefully, he will soon start writing books, TNX General for your service to Our Coiuntry.

Robert Brassell Jr.

One of many of today’s general officers with huge egos who thinks everyone should listen when they speak and they should not be questioned in anyway and their advise is always right. Good riddance. Bring back a Matthew Ridgeway-type.

Hoplite

I only hope that as an old Marine might say, that the President did not shiit in his mess gear by firing Mattis. My only concern with him is Newts revelation that he drinks wine and not bourbon.

Old Marine

Oldmarine >>> Hoplite
RIGHT ON, time will tell.
OORAH

Thomas J

A globalist supporting a globalist? Shocking

Herman

These are American traitors! Sold out for money and position.

citizen

This is just one of many articles you can find. I didnt read this specific one but It will give you an idea of Mattis. https://www.vox.com/2018/3/16/17124288/mattis-theranos-board-trump

Old Marine

Oldmarine >>> citizen
Did you consider the source of this information ???

Mike

ex-General Mattis is evidently a war-mongering POS. He can go straight to hell.

SPQR70AD

Mike you are right. This idiot once said it is fun to shoot people. I would like to put that POS in a trench at Stalingrad 30 below zero with no resupply and see how much fun he is having. it aint like shooting sugar cane workers in Granada

Herman

Hopefully in the trench shooting Bolsheviks!

Wild Bill

@SPQR 70AD, How can anyone with the nom de plum of (the)Senate and People thus Rome think that it is not fun to kill people? The Roman army was a renown people killer, robber, and raper, and unarmed people, mind you.

Grim

Don’t knock until you’ve tried it! It is fun.

Old Marine

Oldmarine >>> Grim
OORAH

Old Marine

Oldmarine >>> SPQR70AD Speak not what you know nothing about. Mattis has pulled trigger on more human beings and knows more about killing than you could ever imagine. I am sure that you have never killed anyone and therefore don’t have the knowledge he does. An awful lot of Marines respect the man because of his knowledge and dedication to the troops that face death daily. His is a man of WAR, you are not so you really don’t have the right to say anything about him. He is judged by his peers, that’s why he is a general. He… Read more »

Mike

Mike >>> Old Marine – our government hasn’t declared war since 1942 (Romania). Every ‘war’ since then has been unconstitutional (Korea/Vietnam/Middle East/Bosnia/et al). Our military fighting endless unconstitutional wars around the globe does not keep me free or protect me. My life IS in mortal danger from an invading horde from Mexico and points further south and the military isn’t defending America from THAT INVASION. Those invaders (out of uniform) are slaughtering Americans by the thousands every year, whether in drunk driving wrecks or outright murders. Why isn’t our military defending our southern border??? It’s really simple, our military is… Read more »

Old Marine

Oldmarine >>> Mike Simple fact “It is always better to fight your enemy on his ground than on yours”. Common sense must rule or you are dead taking to the Devil. Wars have been here as long as humans and it’s not about to go away because of people like the Democ-rats. When push comes to shove, things get nasty and bloody. You can hide and criticize or stand up and fight because eventually you will be involved one way or another….the story of life and death. Everything is ((( NOT OK ))) and if all you can do is… Read more »

Old Marine

Oldmarine .>>> Mike
why don’t you volunteer to take is place ???