Originally Posted by
alaxfire
Why would they do that when General Curtis LeMay had that engraved on a desk plaque at SAC ?
From Wiki;
History
The phrase originated during
World War II.
Lexicographer Eric Partridge attributes it to British army intelligence very early in the war (using the plural dative/ablative
illegitimis). The phrase was adopted by US Army general
"Vinegar" Joe Stillwell as his motto during the war.
[1] It was later further popularized in the US by 1964 presidential candidate
Barry Goldwater.
[2]