I love a good quote. I mean, who doesn’t?

Especially when it’s incredibly witty and sarcastic.

A good quote has the ability to inspire and encourage. When I am needing encouragement to keep fighting a battle that I face, that’s what I look for.

First and foremost, of course, I find encouragement from the Holy Bible. Every verse within its pages is profitable and able to give you strength to keep fighting. Jesus Christ living inside of us gives us the ability to face any challenge and emerge victorious.

But the other thing that spurs me on to keep fighting, keep working, keep getting back up is what I call the “American spirit”. Some would call it just pure stubbornness, others would say it’s grit and determination.

I say it’s what America was built on. And yes, I do believe that it stems from the belief that through God all things are possible. I believe that it stems from the traditional American belief that when you’re fighting for something good, honorable, and right, you never give up the fight.

The spirit of America is grit, determination, and stubbornness. It’s meeting the enemy with an iron will to emerge victorious. It’s fighting for right, because it’s the right thing to do.

Here are ten quotes that, to me, perfectly sum up America’s indomitable spirit.

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“Sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish, I am with my country from this day on. You may depend on it.”

John Adams

John Adams is known to have been one of America’s most beloved founders. He was well spoken and educated. Though not remembered to be quite as much the firebrand as his cousin, Sam Adams, there is no denying he had a fiery passion for his country.

He is said to have said this phrase in a speech he gave before Congress.

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“No! I will not abandon ship so long as a single gun can fire.”

US Commander Frederick Becton

One thing about the United States Navy is that they don’t give up ship easy. It stems from a long proud line of stubborn sailors that are much like the father of our navy, John Paul Jones. Commander Frederick Becton reaffirmed this in the fight for Okinawa in WWII.

At this point in the war, Japan had started implementing kamikaze attacks. These were suicide missions where the Japanese pilots would intentionally crash their planes into a specified target in order to kill large numbers of American soldiers and sailors.

Out of all the kamikaze attacks that had taken place up to that point, nothing came close to being as horrible as Okinawa. During the battle, the USS Laffey bore the worst kamikaze attack in all of World War Two.

Within the time span of eighty minutes, they were directly hit with six kamikazes, four bombs, and unprecedented strafing by swarms of Japanese fighter planes.

The survivor accounts of that day describe how terrible it was. One sailor, who had witnessed other suicide attacks in previous battles, said that the attacks on the USS Laffey were more blood-chilling than anything he had seen.

“The shock, the flash of flame, the split second of awful silence, suddenly torn by the cries of injured men…”

Lieutenant Frank Manson

Becton said of the battle, “Everywhere you looked you saw dive-bombers or fighters converging on you. All you could do was hope your gunners would get them.”

In the heat of the battle, Becton’s communications officer asked him if he thought they would have to abandon ship. Infuriated at the suggestion, Becton yelled back, “No! I will not abandon ship so long as a single gun can fire.”

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“Come and take it.”

Americans

Agh. Regardless of what your opinion is of Americans, you’ve got to admit that we have a wonderful way of defying tyranny. And we have some seriously epic comebacks.

You’ll notice that I attributed this quote to “Americans”. While most people associate this phrase with Texas and its fight for independence, it was actually used by American patriots over fifty years prior. (Sorry, Texas. You don’t have the corner on the market here.)

Seeing as it has held its place in several important chapters of American history, I couldn’t just attribute it to one person or place.

In 1778, Colonel John McIntosh was in command of Fort Morris, Georgia. He had in his command less than 200 men to defend the fort.

The British were insistent that they take Fort Morris, and sent over 500 men under the command of Lt. Colonel Lewis Fuser.

Fuser attacked and, in the midst of the fighting, sent a demand that McIntosh and his patriot soldiers immediately surrender the fort to the Crown. It was obvious the patriots were severely outnumbered, and Fuser was sure they would capitulate.

However, McIntosh sent this reply: “We, sir, are fighting the battle of America. As to surrendering the fort, receive this laconic reply — come and take it.” 

In 1835, at the Battle of Gonzales, the Texans would use the same words in response to a demand that they surrender their weapons.

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“They are in front of us, behind us, and we are flanked on both sides by an enemy that outnumbers us 29:1. They can’t get away from us now!”

Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, USMC

During the Korean War, Puller’s Marine Division was cut off behind enemy lines. Twenty-two enemy divisions surrounded them. The US Army units working with Puller and his division, assumed they were lost considering the gravity of the situation.

Puller recognized that if he was ever going to get his division out the situation alive, he would need to remain optimistic in the face of insurmountable odds. Thus, this incredible quote was born.

Puller’s optimism and determination spread through the ranks of his division like a wild fire. This particular battle ended with them fighting their way out and completely destroying seven enemy divisions. This was the highest ratio of casualties inflicted on such an overwhelming enemy force in history.

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“Yonder are the Hessians. They were bought for seven pounds and ten pence a man. Are you worth more? Prove it. Tonight the American flag floats from yonder hill, or Molly Stark sleeps a widow.”

John Stark

John Stark was a Revolutionary War hero, renowned for his group of expert riflemen. It was acclaimed that he and his men never missed their mark.

His Scot-Irish ancestry lent itself to his fierce demeanor.

During the Battle for Bennington, Stark rallied his men with this cry: “Yonder are the Hessians. They were bought for seven pounds and ten pence a man. Are you worth more? Prove it. Tonight the American flag floats from yonder hill, or Molly Stark sleeps a widow.”

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“Men, we are surrounded by the enemy. That means we have the greatest opportunity ever presented to an army. We can attack in any direction we choose.”

General Anthony McAuliffe

Optimism is the last thing you expect from a general facing an impossible situation. Yet that’s what we got from General Anthony McAuliffe during the infamous battle of Bastogne.

In 1944, Germany launched an offensive that would become known as the Battle of the Bulge. Their success in the offensive would decide the future of the reich.

Right in the middle of the fighting was a town called Bastogne. It was a vital crossroads, and had to be held at all costs. McAuliffe was the commander in charge of defending it. The 101st Airborne division predominantly made up the group of soldiers tasked with holding it.

In the course of the battle, the Americans at Bastogne were surrounded by overwhelming enemy forces. The battle seemed hopeless, but the Americans were determined to hold the town until every last one of them was dead.

Recognizing the need to keep morale up, McAuliffe spoke this phrase, “Men, we are surrounded by the enemy. That means we have the greatest opportunity ever presented to an army. We can attack in any direction we choose.”

This quote ranks high up on the list of phrases that perfectly capture America and all that we are.

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“I have not yet begun to fight!”

John Paul Jones

Yes, I know this one is about as famous as they come, but it’s just so good. Finding himself in a position that was completely hopeless, this was John Paul Jones’ response to the British.

His ship was all but sinking under him, and many of his sailors had been killed or wounded. The British Captain asked Jones if he was ready to strike the colors of our flag. With a flash of fury in his eyes, Jones shouted, “I have not yet begun to fight!”

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“Gentlemen, we are being killed here on the beaches. Let us go inland and be killed!”

Major General Norman Cota

D-Day, June 6th, 1944. Norman Cota led the men of the 29th Infantry Division as they landed on Omaha Beach. As their landing crafts hit the beachhead and they stormed down the ramp, three soldiers fell instantaneously, their bodies riddled with bullets.

Remembered as the bloodiest beach in the D-Day landings, Omaha was riddled with bodies of the dead and dying. The soldiers landing were pinned down under the merciless barrage of German machine guns and artillery. If the American forces were stopped and pushed back into the sea, it would have been detrimental to the Allied war effort.

In an act of true leadership, Cota rose to his feet and shouted to his men, “Gentlemen, we are being killed here on the beaches. Let us go inland and be killed!”

It was the rallying cry that spurred on the American soldiers to charge into the gunfire and fight with everything that was in them.

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“Well buddy, just pull that vehicle behind me. I’m the 82nd Airborne and this is as far as [they] are going.”

PFC Thomas Martin

During the Battle of the Bulge, the 82nd Airborne was tasked with the job of digging in along the front lines and allowing the divisions that had been at the front to fall back for a respite.

While this transition was taking place, a 7th Armored Division tank destroyer, on its way to the rear, passed a lone paratrooper in the process of digging a foxhole.

The vehicle stopped, and its commander asked the paratrooper if this was where the front line began. The soldier replied with a question: “Are you looking for a safe place?”

When met with an affirmative from the commander, PFC Martin said, “Well buddy, just pull that vehicle behind me. I’m the 82nd Airborne and this is as far as [they] are going.”

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“Hitler made only one big mistake when he built his Atlantic wall. He forgot to put a roof on it.”

US Paratroopers in WWII

The Army paratroopers were the very first soldiers to land on Fortress Europe’s soil on the morning of D-Day. They played a vital roll in securing the victory we so badly needed in order to win the war. It has been estimated that roughly 2,499 American paratroopers were killed on D-Day.

This quip was one that showed the grit and determination that ran in their veins. Even Hitler’s Atlantic Wall with all of its obstacles and fortifications were no match for American paratroopers.

They dropped from the sky carrying 100 pounds of gear, and wrought havoc on the enemy. They were indeed correct that Hitler should have put a roof on his Atlantic Wall if he intended for it to be impregnable.

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In case you haven’t noticed yet, Americans don’t give up easily. We are inundated with a fierce spirit that makes us one of the most stubborn nations on the earth.

These quotes are only ten out of hundreds of incredible quotes that show the steel we are made out of. They make me proud to bear the name of America.

What is a quote that inspires you? I would love to hear in the comments!

A. M. Watson

Hebrews 13:8