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NEW YORK, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday that he would nominate retired Marine Corps General James Mattis, or "Mad Dog" as he was nicknamed, to lead the U.S. defense department.
Mattis emerged as the top contender for Pentagon chief soon after Trump won the White House. The two men met in New Jersey on Nov. 19, with media reporting that Trump was impressed by Mattis' resume.
A bachelor all his life, Mattis earned the nickname "Warrior Monk" and "Mad Dog" for his earthy aphorisms and tough talk. U.S. media Politico has summarized some of his most unforgettable quotes.
1.It is quite fun to shoot them, you know. It's a hell of a hoot. It's fun to shoot some people."
In 2005, he commented on the war in Afghanistan: "You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them."
2."There are some assholes in the world that just need to be shot."
While speaking to Marines at Al Asad Airbase in Iraq, Mattis advised some 200 Marines that "The first time you blow someone away is not an insignificant event. That said, there are some assholes in the world that just need to be shot."
3."I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all."
After the initial invasion of Iraq, Mattis met with Iraqi military officers in 2003 and delivered these words.
4."Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet."
It is taken from a speech Mattis gave to his Marines when they arrived in Iraq in 2003. He also said, "There is only one 'retirement plan' for terrorists."
5."Engage your brain before you engage your weapon."
As a student, Mattis sent his advice to Marines before they helped kick off the 2003 invasion of Iraq. "While we will move swiftly and aggressively against those who resist, we will treat all others with decency, demonstrating chivalry and soldierly compassion for people who have endured a lifetime under Saddam's oppression," he wrote.
But there is also warning that people should not be fooled by those quotes.
Despite his salty language, he is a serious strategic thinker who is widely respected inside and outside of the Pentagon for his intellect and willingness to offer unvarnished assessments of White House strategy, said the U.S. media website VOX.
