"Hardly had I left when we ran into the Korean war, doubled what I had asked for and doubled it again. I had told him I would stay in Government, be honored to, but not with the Air Force"
About this Quote
The quote by Stuart Symington reflects a duration of considerable historic and political context, especially concerning the Korean War, military financing, and Symington's individual profession choices. Symington was the very first United States Secretary of the Air Force and later on a U.S. Senator. His declaration records a moment of shift and the pressures of military and governmental duties.
The expression "Hardly had I left" suggests that Symington was describing a point soon after he 'd made a profession decision or transition, most likely stepping away from a particular function within the Air Force or government service. This timing coincided with a significant geopolitical event, "when we encountered the Korean war". The Korean War (1950-1953) was a conflict where North and South Korea clashed, with the United States and other nations stepping in under the banner of the United Nations to support South Korea.
The expression "doubled what I had actually asked for and doubled it once again" highlights the fast escalation in military expenditure and production throughout the Korean War. This suggests that budget plans and resources allocated to defense projects, perhaps those associated to the Air Force, increased massively to satisfy the immediate requirements posed by the war scenario.
Symington's declaration, "I had actually informed him I would stay in Government, be honored to, but not with the Air Force", reveals his determination to continue serving his country in some capability, but not within the Air Force structure. This might be analyzed as Symington's acknowledgment of the intense needs or obstacles specific to the Air Force during wartime or perhaps personal disagreements with its administration or policies at the time.
In general, this quote reflects the sudden and remarkable pressures of global dispute on governmental functions and military resources, along with Symington's navigation of his own profession amid these vibrant circumstances.
