Historical Speech Critique: Duty, Honor, Country

667 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Lilies of the field character analysis

Historical Speech Critique: Duty, Honor, Country The speech, Duty, Honor, Country was given by General Douglas MacArthur at West Point on May 12th 1962 at the age of 82 in acceptance of the Sylvanus Thayer Award. The very fact that he was receiving this award speaks volumes of his character. The criteria for receiving the award is this: The Award is given to a citizen of the United States …whose outstanding character, accomplishments, and stature in the civilian community draw wholesome comparison to the qualities for which West Point strives, in keeping with its motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.” The individual selected for the Thayer Award must agree to accept the Award at West Point and the recipient is approved by the Board of Directors. (westpointaog.org) …show more content…

You can feel his sense of pride and yet humility when he says, “Unhappily, I possess neither that eloquence of diction, that poetry of imagination, nor that brilliance of metaphor to tell you all that they [Duty, Honor, Country] mean.” (americanrhetoric.com) At 82 years old MacArthur still had a strong calm voice, when you hear him speak it’s as though you can hear the wisdom in the tone and cadence of his delivery and yet it’s a commanding voice, a voice that when heard you say to yourself I want to follow him. “His speech …made patriotic believers and remarkable achievers out of some of the young Cadets who were in attendance that memorable day. One such Cadet was a teenager named Eric (Ric) Shinseki, a 1965 graduate of West Point who credits General MacArthur’s “Duty, Honor, Country” speech as being a guiding force during his nearly four decades of distinguished Military service that ultimately led him to become a four-star General and the 34th Chief of Staff of our U.S. Army.” (veteranstoday.com) MacArthur successfully uses imagery in his speech, while recalling his time at war, painting a picture for his audience with his words. “I could see those staggering columns of the First World War, bending under soggy packs, on many a weary march from dripping dusk to drizzling dawn…” (americanrhetoric.com) It is really hard to find something to improve upon in this speech. However if there were one thing

Show More
Related

  • Patrick Henry Ethos In Speech To The Virginia Convention

    360 Words  | 1 Pages

    “Trust it not sir it will prove a snare to your feet”(Henry 102). In other words don’t trust the British owing to the fact in the end they will harm you. That was a quote from Patrick Henry’s Speech to the Virginia Convention during the mid 1700’s. The purpose of his speech was not to compromise with the British but to take up arms. Patrick Henry was a representative in the Virginia House of Burgesses. Mr. Henry enjoyed oratory which is a a religious society of priest for private worship. He also loved anything involving the law. Patrick Henry delivered the speech to the Virginia Convention using the compelling technique of pathos to convince the delegates to proceed to war with the British and fight for their country.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Duty, Honor Country By General Douglas Macarthur

    1332 Words  | 3 Pages

    In May of 1962, General Douglas MacArthur gave his gratitude to the United States Military Academy at West Point for his military service and for his acceptance of the Thayer Award. The speech was a key time for MacArthur to leave his legacy. With his speech “Duty, Honor, Country,” MacArthur shared his beliefs that one should follow the the words duty, honor, and country, because they helped him succeed throughout life and his military life. MacArthur thought that if the cadets heard of how he became successful, they would follow after him. On May 12th, he was successful in doing so as his speech consisted of rhetorical appeals which showed the importance of the three words he followed during his life.

    Read More

  • Parallelism In General Douglas Macarthur's Speech

    382 Words  | 1 Pages

    General Douglas MacArthur uses pathos in his speech. To give gratitude to the soldiers have been fighting beside him and to those who has devoted their life on the battlefield, he told the audience how some of his brothers died uncomplaining with honor and glory in their hearts. Such words have the ability to arise American's appreciation along with sympathy. How some people will devote their life for the love of their country is, indeed, something that is truly affecting.

    Read More

  • Gettysburg Address Dbq Essay

    489 Words  | 1 Pages

    At 7:30am, on Wednesday, July 1st, 1863, at the intersection of Knoxlyn Rd and US Rt. 30 Chambersburg Pike, a shot was fired by Lieutenant Marcellus Jones. This shot would not be forgotten, as it was the beginning of what would turn into one of the biggest turning points of the Civil War; The Battle of Gettysburg. This three day streak of combat would later be referred to as the “High Water Mark of the Rebellion.” With the outcome being an overall Union victory, the Battle of Gettysburg would mark the point at which the Union would place the Confederacy on the defensive and end General Robert E. Lee’s most ambitious attempt to seize Union territory. The Battle of Gettysburg was so critical, in fact, that it lead to one of the most vital documents written in United States history, the Gettysburg Address. How exactly did this battle guide President Abraham Lincoln to write the Gettysburg Address is a common question among many.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis of MacArthur’s Duty Honor Country

    1268 Words  | 3 Pages

    For a united nation to prosper, its people must overcome obstacles and take on numerous responsibilities. Throughout our lives, there are problems occurring continually in our world related to war and combat. During these times of hardship, we must remind ourselves to persevere and continue to defend the country. In addressing the Sylvanus Thayer Award on May 12, 1962, at the city of West Point, New York, General Douglas MacArthur urged Americans to remember the major responsibilities we have as Americans in his speech Duty, Honor, Country. With a position of authority, MacArthur powerfully stated that America will only survive through winning wars and fulfilling our duties. His main priority was to defend the nation, respect the nation, and prosper in that vast nation, otherwise remarked as three key terms: duty, honor, and country. Through the use of rhetorical devices, MacArthur expresses the theme that Americans should defend the country sturdily and carry on its numerous objectives by means of his moral code: “Duty, Honor, Country”.

    Read More

  • Lt Gen Lewis B. Puller

    1020 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...played an excellent model of military ethics. Finally, I showed how my leadership decisions, although not combat related, bear some similarity in vision and ethics to Chesty’s standard, as set seven decades earlier. I can think of no better leader for today’s officers, both commissioned and noncommissioned, to emulate than the most decorated and idolized marine in history.

    Read More

  • General Douglas Macarthur's Farewell Address to Congress

    1860 Words  | 4 Pages

    General Douglas Macarthur was one of the most well known military figures in the history of the United States. He gave his farewell speech to congress on 19th April 1951 and went into retirement after 52 years of service in the United States army. He was given the chance to address his final message to the US government. This analysis carefully examines his ethics, goals, strategies, strengths and weaknesses. The speech is very famous and highly popular among the American audience. Therefore, we will take into account all factors to critically evaluate the speech and find out what makes it important.

    Read More

  • The Impact of WWII On American Minorities

    1622 Words  | 4 Pages

    "There is one front and one battle where everyone in the United States—every man, woman, and child—is in action, and will be privileged to remain in action throughout this war. That front is right here at home, in our daily lives, and in our daily tasks."

    Read More

  • World War I: United States Involvement

    1218 Words  | 3 Pages

    "World War I Quotes." Shmoop: Homework Help, Teacher Resources, Test Prep. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. .

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy's Moral Speech

    1472 Words  | 3 Pages

    As a younger generation, people should follow the footsteps of their predecessors. Furthermore, it shows that it is not only the government’s responsibility, but it is a responsibility for everyone in this country. Action should be taken by everyone to make necessary changes. Furthermore, all of this will not be completed in one day or even in 1,000 days because this is a long term process. According to the book American Orators of the Twentieth Century by Theodore O. Windt Jr, this speech is “one of the most memorable Inaugural Addresses in the United States’ history” (Duff).

    Read More

  • In Need of Good Leaders

    851 Words  | 2 Pages

    As our forefathers before us stated, ‘‘No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as “The Backbone of the Army (“The NCO Creed writing by SFC Earle Brigham and Jimmie Jakes Sr”). These words to Noncommissioned Officer should inspire us to the fullest with pride, honor, and integrity. The NCO creed should mean much more than just words whenever we attend a NCO’s school. For most of us this is what our creed has become because we learn to narrate or recite. The military from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard has an overabundance of NCOs who fall under their pay grade of E-5, E-6 and etc. Yet somehow there still not enough leaders. I believe that the largest problem afflicting the military today is our lack of competent leaders, ineffective leader development, and how we influence our subordinates under us who are becoming leaders.

    Read More

  • ‘We Shall Fight on the Beaches’- A Rhetorical Analysis

    1568 Words  | 4 Pages

    Sir Winston Churchill’s speech, ‘We Shall Fight on the Beaches’ was a wonderful piece of moving rhetoric. The diction that Churchill uses to deliver his message is not so advanced that one cannot understand him easily, but still manages to portray a sense of Churchill’s deeply intellectual status without being condescending. It is a very inspirational piece, a moving speech, and a powerful call to action aimed to uplift the downtrodden population of Britain at the time. Churchill responded to the need for inspiration with his now-famous speech. His use of rhetoric not only inspired Britain, but was a powerful tool that brought about a final victory over the Nazis.

    Read More

  • Integrity

    800 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... to be the backbone of the Army unless I am willing and able, to do what is right at all times. I must be the standard-bearer. I must be beyond reproach. I must, at all times, conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the corps, the military service, and my country, regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I have recited a creed daily that embodies what makes an NCO. I have lived by that creed and always placed the needs of my soldiers above my own. I have sacrificed in times when I should not have. I have made sure those around me are better off than myself whenever I was able. What I mean with these hollow words, what I hope rings true from the message I am trying to convey, is that I have LIVED with integrity. I have EMBODIED integrity, even when it meant it would harm me; because no one is more professional than I.

    Read More

  • Thirty Years War Essay

    1724 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Thirty Years War was a series of conflicts, not-knowingly involving most European countries from 1618 to 1648. The war, which was fought mainly in Germany, was started when Bohemian Protestants furiously attacked the Holy Roman Emperor in terms to impose a restriction on their religious and civil liberties. By understanding the Thirty Years War, you will notice the notable religious, political and social changes. The changes paved the religious and political maps of Europe. Not only did this war affect the religious and political demographic, it caused populations to perish and lose large amounts of their goods. What was known as a religious battle, turned out to be a political feud in competition of which state has the greater power affecting men, women, soldiers and civilians. “[The bohemians] had no idea that their violent deed would set off a chain reaction of armed conflict that would last thirty years and later be called Europe’s “first world war” of the modern era.” When the war ended, the lands were defiled and over 5 million people were killed.

    Read More

  • General Douglas Macarthur's Failure

    922 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is evident as to why General MacArthur was easily able to garner an unfavorable public opinion in a way which does not entail revisionist history. Such a stain within his record as a military strategist and a commander of such a crucial sector of the Army during his tenure goes to show how the leadership attributes and competencies transcend rank. The inability of General MacArthur

    Read More

More about Historical Speech Critique: Duty, Honor, Country

Open Document