One of the most prevalent themes of the memoir is the negative costs of war and combat. Sledge is undoubtedly a patriotic and dedicated marine and he considers his military service as a “privilege and a duty.” His admirable dedication to further the American cause is beyond discussion. Yet, he often contemplates the negative aspects of war and combat. Nearly every discussion of combat is followed by a contemplative reflection or example about the horrible costs of war. This is shown not only in terms of dead Americans, wounded soldiers, and mentally-scarred soldiers, but also in terms of the breakdown/degradation of morality, the brutalization of both Americans and Japanese soldiers and the psychological and economical price paid by nations
