[October 19, 2023] The photograph of the crew of the Boeing B-17 “The Memphis Belle” is iconic. Led by USAAF Captain Robert Morgan, the crew flew 29 missions altogether during World War II. I was fortunate to meet retired Colonel Robert Morgan nearly three decades ago and hear of his crew’s exploits and the combat-proven leadership he displayed.
In combat, the fundamentals of leadership remain the same – building trust and confidence, taking responsibility, having the right values (integrity being the most important), showing commitment and passion for those who work for you, etc.
There are, however, some exceptional differences in emphasis and results. For example, caring for your troops before your own care is emphasized. Another difference is that the result of failure in battle can be devastating.
Combat-proven leadership differs because it is more people-focused, dangerous, intense, and requires more personal interaction to succeed. Between 2004 and 2011, I spent three years in combat. I am privileged to have served with some truly great people – their friendships forged in battle will last a lifetime.
I also witnessed a diverse group of leaders from all military services and many coalition countries, their style, strengths, challenges, and successes and failures. This gave me some insights into combat-proven senior leadership.
Whether quiet and introverted or loud and boisterous, those senior combat leaders universally shared a laser focus on ensuring the best for their troops and an emphasis on mission accomplishment.
I discovered that the successful combat leader must be willing to personally share in the stress, danger, and emotional effects of battle. That leader must understand the impact of combat on the troops and their units. In addition, that leader must be capable of making timely decisions with the knowledge that the information they base their decisions on may be faulty and incomplete, yet lives rest in the balance.
Combat leaders must also be good at what they do, and the troops must know that they are following a leader who can be successful. People don’t follow leaders because they are good bureaucrats but because they are winners and they make things happen.
Combat leaders must lead from the front. There may be other organizations that “leading from behind” works well, but not in combat. Troops will immediately notice this leadership style and shun it accordingly. Combat leaders lead from the front where the action is taking place. They can recognize a problem before it becomes a disaster.
Combat leaders lead by influence, not by edict. This is contrary to the military stereotype. The most successful leaders know their stuff, take care of their troops, motivate them to mission accomplishment, and can survive in the brutish world of battle.
NOTE: This article first appeared on my blog a decade ago. It has been updated and revised slightly. Thanks for reading.
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Author William A. Cohen, in his recent 2010 book Heroic Leadership: Leading with Integrity and Honor, calls this “Heroic Leadership.” This is an excellent read on combat leadership.
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Way past time that we kick out the bidenesque political generals and put in place another Gen. George S Patton.
One of my favorite stories from World War II and the fillm also.
NAILED IT, SIR!
Great story. 🙏
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Belle_(film)
The Northeast. Yes, I did watch the movie and has already read about the story of the Memphis Belle beforehand. So, I had an idea of what happened. The movie was more entertainment than learning about these brave men. I wonder is a trans man today would do what they did (sorry, just had to throw that in). It is always unfair and dangerous to judge folks from another time using our morals today. That is what too many of the crazy wokesters are doing.
👍👍👍👍👍👍 I agree.
Good. This is a great site. I hope to read more from combat vets.
Good 1 General. Like the way u run thru topics. Keep going. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 America needs more people like u
Critical para. “I discovered that the successful combat leader must be willing to personally share in the stress, danger, and emotional effects of battle. That leader must understand the impact of combat on the troops and their units. In addition, that leader must be capable of making timely decisions with the knowledge that the information they base their decisions on may be faulty and incomplete, yet lives rest in the balance.”
Saul, great to hear from you again. Haven’t seen you here in a while. Keep your comments coming, that is how we know who is active. Stay real, my man.
MOVIE Memphis Belle. Greaet movie from 1990
Memphis Belle is a 1990 British-American war drama film directed by Michael Caton-Jones and written by Monte Merrick. The film stars Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, and Harry Connick Jr. (in his film debut). Memphis Belle is a fictional version of the 1944 documentary Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress by director William Wyler, about the 25th and last mission of an American Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, the Memphis Belle, based in England during World War II.[1] The 1990 version was co-produced by David Puttnam and Wyler’s daughter Catherine and dedicated to her father. The film closes with a dedication to all airmen, friend or foe, who fought in the skies above Europe during World War II.
Indeed, one of my favorite movies.
Yes, and I’ve seen it like 5 or 6 times and each time I see something I didn’t see before and appreciate these bomber crews more each time. Gen. Satterfield was fortunate to meet COL Morgan and part of the Memphis Belle crew.
Great comments on the movie.
Excellent!!!!!
Only real men can become combat proven leaders. Okay feminists, convince me I’m wrong. Here is a short para on what Gen. Satterfield once wrote. He is talking about soldiers making themselves into real men but the example has meaning. “Then you learn what it’s like to be the best at something and imagine you’re trying to be the best man you can be, which is your ultimate goal. Branch out from being the best machine gunner to properly running the machine gun crew. That forces you to be a good teammate and pass your skills to someone else on your team. Focus on your team and have a vision that your teammates will be the best gun team in your unit. That’s a great start.”
he he he he ………. love you Liz
Liz, nailed it. 👍
Thank you Jerome and Ronny, I’m glad you enjoyed my post. As you both know by now, I’m a big fan of Gen. Satterfield’s blog and his two books. My FAV book is his “55 rules for a good life.” If you don’t yet have a copy, get a dozen of them today. And give them away as gifts. That is how you can help someone. Christmas will be here soon. Get those books.
Love the Memphis Belle crew as the example of proven combat leaders. ❤
Big, strong, brave men. What else is there to explain why we won WWII.
All other types of men like ‘metro-sexuals’ are not real men at all. They are wimps in men’s clothing. I have Zero sympathy for weirdo men. They only make the nation weak and vulnerable. And that is how you die.
Great comments ….. real men.
Question: How do I become a Man?
https://www.theleadermaker.com/question-how-do-i-become-a-man/