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Old soldiers never die they just fade away?

Updated: 8/19/2023
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Jere0327

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12y ago

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The quote, "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away" was part of General Douglas MacArthur's farewell address to a joint session of Congress on April 19, 1951, after President Truman fired him for ignoring orders about threatening China. The sentimental quote belies the seriousness of MacArthur's warning about and insight into the dangers of post-World War II Asia, particularly the Korean War and eventual "military action" in Vietnam.

[Another contributor adds: "According to General of the Army (5 star) Douglas McArthur, the line came from an old Barracks Ballad sung during his young cadet tenure at West Point (Military Academy). He mentioned the ballad during his final address to the Corps of Cadets on his final departure from the Army I believe somewhere around 1962."]

The full quote from the end of his address was:

"I am closing my 52 years of military service. When I joined the Army, even before the turn of the century, it was the fulfillment of all of my boyish hopes and dreams. The world has turned over many times since I took the oath on the plain at West Point, and the hopes and dreams have long since vanished, but I still remember the refrain of one of the most popular barrack ballads of that day which proclaimed most proudly that "old soldiers never die; they just fade away."

"And like the old soldier of that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that duty.

"Good Bye."

You can read and view MacArthur's address at American Rhetoric: Top 100 Speeches, available via Related Links. For more information, also see Related Questions, below.

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13y ago
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12y ago

This a very old quote that General MacArthur used in his farewell speech to the US Senate when he retired from 50 plus years of military service.

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What ballad did 'Old soldiers never die they just fade away' come from?

"old soldiers never die, they just fade away" was a phrase taken from an old army ballad. its most well known use was when it was said by General Douglas MacArthur at the end of a speech representing the end of his military career.He said:"Old soldiers never die; they just fade away. And like the old soldier in that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the sight to see that duty."He was kicked out of the military by the president for insubordination after MacArthur voiced disagreement with his policies. The president was unhappy with MacArthur's plan to open a two front war by attacking china to end the Korean war.The Full Song went:Old Soldiers Never DieThere is an old cookhouse, far far awayWhere we get pork and beans, three times a day.Beefsteak we never see, damn-all sugar for our teaAnd we are gradually fading away.Old soldiers never die,Never die, never die,Old soldiers never dieThey just fade away.Privates they love their beer, 'most every day.Corporals, they love their stripes, that's what they say.Sergeants they love to drill. Guess them bastards always willSo we drill and drill until we fade away.The simple answer is: It was a phrase made famous by General Douglas Macarthur, but probably sang by thousands of different soldiers.


Who said and like the old soldier in the ballad now you close your military career and just fade away?

It's a General Douglas MacArthur qoute (1880-1964) ; an American soldier who Served in World War II .


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Old mops never die they?

The end to the statement is typically, just fade away. Therefore, old mops never die, they just fade away.


What ballad did 'Old soldiers never die they just fade away' come from?

"old soldiers never die, they just fade away" was a phrase taken from an old army ballad. its most well known use was when it was said by General Douglas MacArthur at the end of a speech representing the end of his military career.He said:"Old soldiers never die; they just fade away. And like the old soldier in that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the sight to see that duty."He was kicked out of the military by the president for insubordination after MacArthur voiced disagreement with his policies. The president was unhappy with MacArthur's plan to open a two front war by attacking china to end the Korean war.The Full Song went:Old Soldiers Never DieThere is an old cookhouse, far far awayWhere we get pork and beans, three times a day.Beefsteak we never see, damn-all sugar for our teaAnd we are gradually fading away.Old soldiers never die,Never die, never die,Old soldiers never dieThey just fade away.Privates they love their beer, 'most every day.Corporals, they love their stripes, that's what they say.Sergeants they love to drill. Guess them bastards always willSo we drill and drill until we fade away.The simple answer is: It was a phrase made famous by General Douglas Macarthur, but probably sang by thousands of different soldiers.


How do you do a go-to-move in NBA live 08 httpwww.nbaliveforums.comviewtopic.phpt51633?

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No one. The actual quote, "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away" was part of General Douglas MacArthur's address to a joint session of Congress on April 19, 1951, after President Truman fired him for ignoring orders about threatening China. The sentimental quote belies the seriousness of MacArthur's warning about and insight into the dangers of post-World War II Asia, particularly the Korean War and eventual "military action" in Vietnam.


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