Our Mission
In honor of Brigadier General Samuel B. Griffith, II, USMC (Ret.), whose distinguished service and contributions to the field embody the ideal of the “warrior-scholar,” we champion the education of active-duty personnel, reservists, and veterans who, regardless of rank or affiliation, exhibit an unwavering commitment in their pursuit of understanding the Chinese military.
Brigadier General Samuel Blair Griffith II
China Marine, Warrior-Scholar, and Luminary of Chinese Military Studies.
Biography
Samuel Blair Griffith was born on May 31, 1906, in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1929, he accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. His early career saw him participating in the Second Nicaraguan Campaign and serving in China, Cuba, and the United Kingdom, where he began to cultivate his interest in Chinese military affairs.
From 1935 to 1938, while stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Peiping as a military analyst and defense attaché, Griffith studied Mandarin, deepening his understanding of Chinese culture and military strategy. These experiences laid the foundation for his later work as a scholar of Chinese military history.
During World War II, Griffith served with distinction as the executive officer (and later commander) of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion on Guadalcanal and as the executive officer of the 1st Raider Regiment in operations on New Georgia. He earned the Navy Cross for “extreme heroism and courageous devotion to duty” during the fighting near the Matanikau River on Guadalcanal, and the Army Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership in New Georgia. His experiences in these campaigns, where he observed and engaged in guerrilla warfare, significantly influenced his later academic pursuits.
After the war, Griffith participated in the post-war occupation of northern China and later commanded the U.S. Marine forces in Tsingtao. He concluded his military career in 1956 after serving in various prestigious positions, including Chief of Staff for Fleet Marine Force Atlantic and on the staff of the U.S. Commander in Chief Europe. He retired as a Brigadier General, having served honorably for 27 years.
Source: “230900 USMC Griffith Collection finding aid.” Marine Corps Historical Center.
Warrior-Scholar
Following his retirement, General Griffith entered Oxford University (New College) and was awarded his PhD in Chinese Military History in 1961. With a demonstrated interest in the Middle Kingdom, Mandarin, and Chinese operational art dating back to pre-World War II days, he translated Sun Tzu’s The Art of War in 1963 and Mao Tse-tung’s On Guerrilla War in 1978. He also wrote the definitive The Battle for Guadalcanal, The Chinese People’s Liberation Army, and his last major work, In Defense of the Public Liberty.
General Griffith was also a Research Fellow (China Study) at the Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the Institute for Defense Studies in London. Griffith published widely in such journals as The New Yorker, Saturday Evening Post, U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, Town and Country, Marine Corps Gazette, and Foreign Affairs. He also lectured extensively at such establishments as the Armed Forces Staff College, United States Military Academy, Foreign Policy Association, Marine Corps Schools, and others. General Griffith was a life member of the 1st Marine Raider Association and the 1st Marine Division Association.
Source: “230900 USMC Griffith Collection finding aid.” Marine Corps Historical Center.
The Griffith Collection
Griffith’s expertise in the Chinese language and military history, which he developed during his military service in China (and later at Oxford University, where he earned a Ph.D. in Chinese Military History), is reflected in his works. His work generally focused on strategy and Chinese military studies and is unique for its perspective, having been shaped by his combat experience during World War II.
After retiring from the United States Marine Corps in 1956, Griffith authored four books on the Chinese military and two books on military history. His works on the Chinese military include “On Guerrilla Warfare,” where he provided a translation and analysis of Mao Tse-tung’s work; “The Art of War,” featuring his translation and commentary on Sun Tzu’s classic text; “Peking and People’s Wars: An Analysis of Statements by Official Spokesmen of the Chinese Communist Party on the Subject of Revolutionary Strategy,” an analysis of the PLA’s political theory; and “The Chinese People’s Liberation Army,” a comprehensive study of the PLA. His contributions to Western military history are highlighted in “The Battle for Guadalcanal” and “In Defense of the Public Liberty: Britain, America, and the Struggle for Independence—from 1760 to the Surrender at Yorktown in 1781.”
Personal Papers
The Samuel B. Griffith Foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Brigadier General Samuel B. Griffith. In support of this mission, we encourage aspiring researchers to carefully review the Samuel B. Griffith Personal Papers Collection housed at the Marine Corps Historical Center.
This extensive collection provides invaluable primary source material, covering a wide array of historical topics, including World War II, Chinese military doctrine, and guerrilla warfare. By engaging with these documents, researchers can gain unique insights, further their understanding of critical military and historical subjects, and support the legacy of an under-appreciated warrior-scholar.
Oral History Interview of Samuel B. Griffith (1968, 1970)
Oral history is a crucial component of the Marine Corps’ efforts to preserve its rich heritage. The Samuel B. Griffith Oral History, conducted between 1968 and 1970, captures the personal narratives of a distinguished Marine whose experiences shaped the course of military history. These interviews, part of the Marine Corps Oral History Program, offer a unique, first-hand account of Griffith’s military career, providing valuable context for understanding his contributions to both the Marine Corps and the broader field of military studies. Copies of this memoir are deposited in the Marine Corps Oral History Collection, Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., and Breckinridge Library, Marine Corps Development and Education Command, Quantico, Virginia.
Source: Columbia University, Digital Library Collection.
Source: United States Marine Corps, History and Museums Division
Literature
Books Authored
Griffith, Samuel B. “The Battle for Guadalcanal” (1963)
Griffith, Samuel B. ” Peking and the People’s War” (1963)
Griffith, Samuel B. ” The Chinese People’s Liberation Army” (1967)
Griffith, Samuel B. “In Defense of the Public Liberty” (1976)
Translations
Mao Tse-tung. “Mao Tse-tung on Guerrilla Warfare.” Ed. and trans. Samuel B. Griffith. (1961)
Sun Tzu. “The Art of War.” Ed. and trans. Samuel B. Griffith. (1963)
Articles and Publications
Griffith, Samuel B. “Some Chinese Thoughts on War,” Marine Corps Gazette, April 1961.
Griffith, Samuel B. “Guerrilla Warfare in China,” Marine Corps Gazette, June 1941.
Griffith, Samuel B. “That Man Suntzu,” Marine Corps Gazette, August 1943.
Griffith, Samuel B. “Show of Force,” Marine Corps Gazette, December 1945.
Griffith, Samuel B. “Action at Enogai: Operations of the First Raider Battalion in the New Georgia Campaign,” Marine Corps Gazette, March 1944.
Griffith, Samuel B. “Corry’s Boys,” Marine Corps Gazette, May 1949.
Griffith, Samuel B. “Guerrilla: Part I,” Marine Corps Gazette, July 1950.
Griffith, Samuel B. “Guerrilla: Part II,” Marine Corps Gazette, August 1950.
Griffith, Samuel B. “Memories and Impressions: Guadalcanal and Tulage, 1978,” Marine Corps Gazette, November 1978.
Griffith, Samuel B. “North China, 1937,” Marine Corps Gazette, December 1938.
Griffith, Samuel B. “Zhukov, Khruschchev and the Red Army,” Marine Corps Gazette, November 1958.
Griffith, Samuel B. “Organization for Guerrilla Hostilities in China,” Marine Corps Gazette, July 1941.
Griffith, Samuel B. “The Glorious Military Thought of Comrade Mao Tse-Tung,” Foreign Affairs, July 1964.
Griffith, Samuel B. “Communist China’s Capacity to Make War,” Foreign Affairs, January 1965.
Author’s Note: The following writings are unpublished, but are available at the USMC Archives at the General Alfred M. Gray Marine Corps Research Center.
Griffith, Samuel B. “Communist China’s Military Challenge,” 1966. There are indications that this paper was published in an August or September 1966 issue of a periodical called DIPLOMAT.
Griffith, Samuel B. “On Understanding China,” date written unknown.
Griffith, Samuel B. “Sun Tzu and Western Military Thought,” date written unknown.
Griffith, Samuel B. “Mao, China and Asia,” May 1968.
Griffith, Samuel B. New Introduction to Mao Tse-tung, Mao Tse-tung on Guerrilla Warfare, date written unknown.
Griffith, Samuel B. “West Point Address,” circa 1962.
Griffith, Samuel B. Untitled Work on Guerrilla Warfare, date written unknown.
China Marines
The history of the United States Marine Corps is deeply intertwined with its long-standing relationship with China, shaped by both cooperation and conflict. The “China Marines,” stationed in key cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin during the early 20th century, played a crucial role in protecting American interests and navigating China’s volatile political landscape. From the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) to Operation Beleaguer (1945-1949), these Marines witnessed and engaged with China’s transformation into a modern nation-state, often serving as both protectors of American interests and observers of China’s internal struggles.
The paradox of this relationship lies in the Marine Corps’ ability to learn from Chinese military innovations while defending against them. Marines such as Samuel B. Griffith, Evans Carlson, and Merritt Edson closely studied Mao Tse-tung’s stratagems of guerrilla warfare and political indoctrination during the Second Sino-Japanese War. While these tactics were intended to undermine foreign powers, these Marines adapted key elements—such as flexibility in small-unit operations and the importance of morale—for their own use against the Japanese in World War II. This cross-pollination of ideas, even between ideologically opposed entities, underscores the practical value of understanding an opponent’s strengths.
By incorporating lessons from their experiences in China, the Marine Corps refined its approach to irregular warfare and small-unit leadership, creating elite units such as the Marine Raiders. At the same time, the Marines’ presence in China reflected America’s broader strategic interests, often positioning them at the center of geopolitical tensions. The legacy of the China Marines highlights the complexity of their role—not just as warriors, but as intermediaries in the delicate balance between conflict and collaboration with China.
Brigadier General Evans Fordyce Carlson, USMC (Ret.)
Evans Carlson transformed the leadership practices of the China Marines through his innovative approach to small-unit command. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he closely observed the Chinese Communist Eighth Route Army, studying their egalitarian leadership, guerrilla tactics, and use of political indoctrination to inspire unity and motivation among their troops. Carlson admired their focus on collective decision-making, open communication, and ideological training, which he rebranded as “ethical indoctrination” to foster a shared purpose and commitment within his own units.
Carlson adopted the term “Gung Ho” as the motto for the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, borrowing it from the Chinese Industrial Cooperatives (CIC), where it served as a slogan meaning “work together.” Drawing from the cooperative ethos of the CIC and the discipline and teamwork of the Eighth Route Army, Carlson redefined “Gung Ho” to symbolize unity and shared responsibility. He implemented a democratic leadership style within the Raiders, empowering even the lowest-ranking enlisted men to voice ideas and criticisms, which strengthened individual initiative and collective effort. (The significance of “Gung Ho” significance grew over time, inspiring the title of a 1943 war film (Gung Ho!) about the 2nd Raider Battalion’s raid on Makin Island. Its enduring impact is further reflected in the Marine Corps’ “Gung Ho” award, which honors Marines who exemplify motivation, discipline, and teamwork.)
Carlson demonstrated the effectiveness of his methods during the Guadalcanal campaign, where the Raiders executed a 30-day guerrilla operation that inflicted significant damage on Japanese forces and disrupted enemy operations. The Raiders thrived in challenging conditions, applying Carlson’s focus on teamwork, mutual respect, and a shared mission to achieve tactical success. By combining the cooperative principles of “Gung Ho” with the flexibility and ideological commitment he observed in the Eighth Route Army, Carlson permanently influenced the Marine Corps’ approach to unconventional warfare. His innovations underscored the power of ethical and motivational training in military doctrine, proving that unity and purpose are essential to operational success.
Gung Ho
The following papers delve into the etymology of “Gung Ho,” exploring its origins and evolution within both the Marine Corps and broader cultural contexts:
Moe, Albert F. “‘Gung Ho.’” American Speech, vol. 42, no. 1, 1967, pp. 19–30. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/454114.
“Letter On [the] Origins of Gung Ho.” (See below)
