"This Is My Rifle"
This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.
My
rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must
fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying
to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I WILL...
My
rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we
fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is
the hits that count. WE WILL HIT...
My rifle is human,
even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I
will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories,
its sights and its barrel. I will ever guard it against the ravages of
weather and damage as I will ever guard my legs, my arms, my eyes and
my heart against damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready. We will
become part of each other. WE WILL...
Before God, I swear
this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are
the masters of our enemy. WE ARE THE SAVIORS OF MY LIFE.
So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but peace!
by Major General William H. Rupertus (USMC, Ret.)
(written following the attack on Pearl Harbor)
Every Marine is a rifleman.
PFC White, Scott B.
USMCR
