Prior to the discussion of his raids against the Japanese positions in the Marshall Islands, Halsey informed the midshipmen before him, "Missing the Battle of Midway has been the greatest disappointment of my career, but I am going back to the Pacific where I intend personally to have a crack at those yellow-bellied sons of bitches and their carriers," which was received with loud applause.
Inden han gennemgik sine angreb mod de japansk stillinger på Marshall-øerne, sagde Halsey til de forsamlede kadetter: "Ikke at være med i slaget ved Midway har været den største skuffelse i min karriere, men jeg vender tilbage til Stillehavet, hvor jeg har til hensigt personligt at slå et slag mod disse gul-mavede (feje) hore-sønner og deres hangarskibe," hvilket udløste det larmende bifald.