Gung Ho!
According To LtCol Evans F. Carlson
I have found that many writers, in many publications, writing
about Carlson, have made the observation that the words Gung Ho have lost much of their
original meaning. Also, it has been pointed out that the translation of the words themselves from
Chinese produces even more room for confusion, as there may be multiple definitions, just as most American words have more that
one dictionary meaning. And, too, many have noted that "Gung Ho!" has been bastardized to the point that it is now to many, just a slogan, battle cry, or just denoting a good Marine.
In an article titled "The Legacy of Evans Carlson," by Robert J.
Dalton (LtCol USMC Ret.) in the August 1987 Marine Corps Gazette, the author states,
"...Ironically, the term 'gung ho' has come to mean almost the opposite of how it was originally
used. Today, the term has an aggressive, Prussianistic connotation. It has little of the
'ethical'meaning for which it was originally used...."
Well then, what was the intention of the originator of the now
famous term, "Gung Ho?"
For the answer to that we can go to Carlson's own book, Twin Stars
Of China, 1941. Carlson wrote, "The superb fighters of the Chinese Eighth Route Army had
studied the Japanese methods, tactics, and psychology for years.They knew intimately the
strengths and weaknesses of the Japanese troops.
Surprise was the Eighth's heaviest weapon against the invaders.
With surprise, they made life a hell for the men from Nippon. But
there was another and even more important element which made the success of the Eighth
Route Army. I sought this element assiduously. Then the answer came to me one day when I
had completed a march of 58 miles without sleep, along with a
column of 600 Chinese. Not a man left the column on this march.
I thought:hat could be the stimulus which would induce 600 men to
complete such an arduous task without even one failing. It could be nothing but the Desire and
Will of each individual to complete the task. Here was the secret weapon of the Eighth Route
Army.
Through systematic indoctrination, every man had received what I call ethical indoctrination.
They knew what they were fighting for...."
"In war, as in the pursuits for peace, the human element is of
prime importance. Human nature is much the same the world over, and human beings
everywhere respond to certain fundamental stimuli. So, if men have confidence in their leaders, if
they are convinced that the things for which they endure and fight are worthwhile, if they believe
the effort they are making contributes definitely to the realization of their objectives,
then their efforts will be voluntary, spontaneous, and persistent.
The men of the Eighth Route Army had a term for this spirit of cooperation. They called it 'gung
ho.'"
Later, Carlson taught his men his experiences relating to the
above. In the Carlson biography, The Big Yankee, by Michael Blankfort, 1947, Carlson says,
"..Two words--'ethical indoctrination.' Those are big words, boys, but let me tell you simply what
they mean. The reason those 600 men were able to endure such hardship is because they knew
why it was necessary
for them to complete that march. But much more than that, they
knew why that march was important to the whole series of battles they were fighting; and they
knew why these battles were important to the whole war against the Japs. And the war against
the Japs was one they understood and believed in.
In short, they understood why the efforts of every single one of
them was necessary to the whole Chinese people. That's ethical
indoctrination.
He explained carefully how out of ethical indoctrination men grow
to have confidence in themselves and their officers; how when every man knows his efforts
count, whether officer or cook, general or quartermaster coolie, no one thinks of himself or his
job as being more or less important than anyone else or any one else's job; and each man has
respect for himself and confidence in himself and in the others. Out of this mutual respect and
confidence, comes the ability of men to work together wholeheartedly, without fear or favor or
envy or contempt. He trembled a little inside him as he spoke, for if ethical indoctrination was
the key of the Raiders, it was also the star by which he had finally come to steer his own life.
This battalion, these thousand men, was the test of himself. The
Chinese have two words for 'working together,' he said. 'Gung, meaning 'work'; Ho meaning
'harmony.' Gung Ho! Work Together! That is the end result of
ethical indoctrination."
"He went on to explain that Gung Ho was important to all of
them, because they were Americans--for it gave them the chance to practice the democracy
they believed, where no man should have priviliges over another man and where discipline
comes from knowledge....a confidence that creates initiative and daring in battle...greater
damage to the enemy...lower cost in lives to themselves...We will strive for ethical
indoctrination...I
propose that Gung Ho be the spirit and slogan of our Raider
Battalion...Let's hear you say it, He raised his voice and
shouted, 'Gung Ho!'
There was a split-second of silence in the ranks...But the words
came and the grove of eucalyptus trees in the middle of San Diego
County heard a thousand voices say a strange and foreign phrase that, in the necessary
coincidence of human history, was as American as it is Chinese."
Richard Gaines
GySgt USMC (Ret.)
1952-1972
*****
Old Salt Marines Forum
Dick Gaines
Illegitimus Non Carborundum
Restore The Republic!
