Rhetorical Analysis: General Mattis 1

Rhetorical Analysis: General Mattis

John Jay Hughes
University of Texas at El Paso

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Rhetorical Analysis: General Mattis
On march 20th, 2003 president George W. Bush, along with his administration, declared
war on Iraq under the impression Saddam Hussein was in possession of chemical and biological
weapons of mass destruction. On April 9th, 2003 American forces took over a large portion of
Baghdad in a matter of hours. Iraqis filled the streets as American troops tore down statues of
Saddam Hussein signaling years of destabilization and conflict in the middle east that continues
to linger. Regardless of public opinion on the invasion of Iraq most would agree that the United
States Marine Corps played a pivotal role in the war and that they fought bravely. The 1 st Marine
Division was lead into combat on 2003 by an almost legendary General named James Mattis.
The document being analyzed in this essay is a letter written by General Mattis that was mailed
to each and every member of the 1st Marine Division during the dawn of the Iraq invasion.
General James Mattis is a well decorated marine whom has held various leadership
positions during crucial times in American military history. Holding the position of a General in
the Marine Corps is proof in and of itself of how dedicated, experienced, educated, and
passionate James Mattis was and continues to be. Throughout his career General Mattis has led
men through a total of three wars, most notably and in a larger scale during the invasion of Iraq.
As a Lieutenant Colonel Mattis lead an assault battalion through the Persian Gulf War. When
Mattis was a colonel he commanded the 7th Marine Regiment during the War in Afghanistan and
was further placed in command of the 1 st Marine Expeditionary Brigade after being promoted to
Brigadier General. By the time General Mattis wrote a letter addressing the 1 st Marine Division
he was already a recognized and experienced marine in combat leadership. General Mattis letter
was firmly built upon his credibility as an efficient leader.

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It can be agreed that a person of good moral character will do their best to stop a wrong
doing. General Mattis began his message by stating that, Saddam Hussein has tortured,
imprisoned, raped and murdered the Iraqi people; invaded neighboring countries without
provocation; and threatened the world with weapons of mass destruction. (General Mattis
2003), clearly establishing the reason for which the marines were being sent to war. The audience
is made up of proud marines eager to defend their country and were further incited by General
Mattis opening statement as it rationalized the war that was to come. By portraying Saddam
Hussein and his followers as evil beings, even stating that they will use, unethical tactics
(General Mattis 2003), such as using innocent people as shields, he portrays the invasion of Iraq
as a logical and necessary mission that must be completed swiftly and efficiently in order to
avoid further inhumane injustices. General Mattis uses logos to explain to the marines why the
invasion of Iraq is so crucial for the preservation and safety of the world and clearly paints a
picture of the enemy and how they must unite in order to, destroy them. (General Mattis 2003).
March, 2003 was a time of worry and unrest for members of the 1 st Marine Division as
the Iraqi invasion crept ever closer. General Mattis took the time to address all the marines under
his command in order to provide words of encouragement and wisdom so that they could have a
glimmer of hope and reason as they prepared to embark on a violent journey for their country.
General Mattis attempted to appeal to the marines sense of pride by stating, You are part of the
worlds most feared and trusted force. (General Mattis 2003). Marines being called to arms feel
the immediate sense of belonging and pride for their country becoming part of a legacy made up
of brave men and women whom have shed blood and tears for a greater cause than themselves.
General Mattis portrays the enemy as evil beings whom perform unethical actions, not only to
provide a reason for the war, but to spark a sense of indignation within the hearts of his marines.

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Anger is an essential and almost necessary emotion in times of war that allows its user to
perform actions that wouldnt normally be done. General Mattis predominantly appeals to the
sense of pride in his marines along with anger in order to uplift their spirits in the dawn of the
invasion of Iraq.
General James Mattis message was successful in motivating the 1 st Marine Division
through the use of ethos, logos, and pathos during a crucial time in American history.

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References

Mattis, General James. (2003). Commanding Generals message to all hands.

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