6 March, 1944

Letter of Instruction

Command
         Leadership

1)    Full Duty:  Each, in all his appropriate sphere, will lead in person.  Any commander who    fails to obtain his objective, who is not dead or severely wounded, has not done his full duty.
2)    Visits to the Front:  The Commanding General or his Chief of Staff should visit the front daily.
3)    Execution:  In carrying out a mission, the promulgation of the order represents not over ten percent of your responsibility.  The remaining ninety percent consists of proper and vigorous execution.
4)    Rest Periods:  Staff personnel who do not rest, do not last.
5)    Location of Command Posts:  The farther forward the Command Posts, the less time is wasted in driving to and from the front.
6)    Plans:  Plans must be simple and flexible.  They should be made by people who are going to execute them.
7)    Reconnaissance:  You can never have too much
8)    Keep Troops Informed:  Use every means available before, during and after battle.  Information is like eggs: the fresher the better.
9)    Decorations:  Decorations are for the purpose of raising the fighting value of the troops; therefore, they must be awarded promptly.
10)  Discipline:  There is only one kind of discipline - PERFECT DISCIPLINE.  If you do not enforce and maintain discipline, you are potential murderers.  You must set the example.