John D. Bulkeley

I don't know what a hero is. This business of the captain taking all the credit, ordering someone else and so forth -- that's not it. The men who do the actual fighting, man the guns, they're the guys that really win the war.

John Duncan Bulkeley (19 August 1911 – 6 April 1996) was a vice admiral in the United States Navy and was one of its most decorated naval officers. Bulkeley received the Medal of Honor for actions in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was also the PT boat skipper who evacuated General Douglas MacArthur from Corregidor in the Philippines and commanded at the Battle of La Ciotat.

Quotes

What else could I do? You engage, you fight, you win. That is the reputation of our Navy, then and in the future.

• I don't know what a hero is. This business of the captain taking all the credit, ordering someone else and so forth -- that's not it. The men who do the actual fighting, man the guns, they're the guys that really win the war.
  • "Vice Adm. John D. Bulkeley, 84, Hero of D-Day and Philippines" in The New York Times (8 April 1996)

• PT boats are very, very, in many ways, very fine to keep at sea at long times and do varied jobs. Well, since D-day, my boats have been out here in the line from 10 to 14 days at a time. We often run out of food, we have trouble with the weather, but the boys are taking it fine. I think we've done the hardest thing of all, kept on our toes for whatever might have happened.
  • "Activities of PT boats in Normandy Invasion" (1944)

• As far as the Breakout is that...Breakout, itself is concerned, it was dark, and it was a rather rainy, misty night. We went at high speed, ran through the mine fields, which we knew like the palm of our hands...no problem at all.
  • Recalling his experiences in evacuating General Douglas MacArthur from Corregidor during the 1941 Japanese invasion of the Philippines.
  • "Better have the books corrected." (1987)

• When you run into the enemy, you’ve got to attack, no question about it.
  • "‘Sea Wolf’ Bulkeley’s European Theater Exploits Heroic" in Naval History" (1944)

• What else could I do? You engage, you fight, you win. That is the reputation of our Navy, then and in the future.
  • As quoted in 1944, "Namesake USS Bulkeley (DDG 84)

Quotes about Bulkeley

• For extraordinary heroism, distinguished service, and conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty as commander of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3, in Philippine waters during the period from 7 December 1941 to 10 April 1942. The remarkable achievement of Lt. Comdr. Bulkeley's command in damaging or destroying a notable number of Japanese enemy planes, surface combatant and merchant ships, and in dispersing landing parties and land-based enemy forces during the four months and eight days of operation without benefit of repairs, overhaul, or maintenance facilities for his squadron, is believed to be without precedence in this type of warfare. His dynamic forcefulness and daring in offensive action, his brilliantly planned and skillfully executed attacks, supplemented by a unique resourcefullness and ingenuity, characterize him as an outstanding leader of men and a gallant and intrepid seaman. These qualities coupled with a complete disregard for his own personal safety reflect great credit upon him and the Naval Service.
  • Citation for the Medal of Honor awarded to Bulkeley, presented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on 4 August 1942 at the White House, Washington, D.C.[1]