After giving the final order for the D-Day Invasion to begin on June 6, 1944 — after his commanders had rushed out to carry out the order, after the press had been briefed and the reporters had left — General Eisenhower sat down and wrote out a press release:
“Our landings…have failed…and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone.”
Then he put the note in his wallet to be used if necessary.
Had the invasion failed, Eisenhower was willing to accept responsibility for what may have been considered the biggest military failure in history.
Reference: Stephen E. Ambrose, Eisenhower, Soldier and President (Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 1990), p. 140
Pic courtesy: Wikipedia
