MacArthur was “not sanguine” about the situation in Korea. He felt that the nature of enemy resistance, combined with the rugged terrain and the possibilities of Soviet or Red Chinese intervention, threatened to protract operations. Thus he favored a Marine amphibious landing far in the enemy’s rear to cut off and destroy the North Korean columns of invasion.[71] [71] _Ibid._ General Shepherd’s report made it seem likely, just before the Brigade sailed, that its units would probably be absorbed soon into a Marine division with an amphibious mission. For the present, however, it was enough to start the movement from Pendleton and El Toro to San Diego, where the convoy awaited. MAG-33 had orders to embark in the transports _Anderson_ and _Achernar_ and the carrier (CVE-116) _Badoeng Strait_. The ground forces would make the voyage in the LSD’s _Fort Marion_ and _Gunston Hall_, the AKA’s _Alshain_ and _Whiteside_, and the APA’s _Pickaway_, _Clymer_ and _Henrico_.[72] [72] For the Brigade’s task organization in detail, with names of commanding officers and strength of units, see Appendix B. General Cates was on hand at the docks from 12 to 14 July when the Brigade sailed. His long cigarette holders were famous, and no second lieutenant in the Corps could throw a more military salute. As he eyed the ground forces filing past, the Commandant could only have felt that Marine traditions would be upheld. A good many of the PFC’s, it is true, were too young to have seen action in World War II, though nearly all had been well grounded in fundamentals. Perhaps at the front they might become victims at first of their own over-anxiety. But they would doubtless grin sheepishly about it afterwards and become combat-hardened in a short time. A glance at the NCO’s, the platoon leaders and company commanders of the Brigade could only have brought a gleam of pride to the Commandant’s battlewise eye. With few exceptions, they were veterans of World War II who could be relied upon to get the best out of their men. And it may be that the Commandant was reminded of the remark attributed to General William T. Sherman during the Civil War: “We have good corporals and sergeants and some good lieutenants and captains, and those are far more important than good generals.”[73] [73] Quoted in Lynn Montross, _War Through the Ages_ (New York: Harper, 1946), 609. Nobody could give a more smooth and eloquent talk than General Cates before a Washington audience. But when it came to saying farewell to the Brigade troops, he addressed them in the language of Marines. “You boys clean this up in a couple of months,” said the Commandant, “or I’ll be over to see you!”[74] [74] Geer, _op. cit._, 6. CHAPTER IV The Advance Party _Conference With CINCFE--The Washington Scene--The Advance Party in Japan--Voyage of the Brigade--The Advance Party in Korea--Crisis of the Eighth Army_