build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be.

He is praying that his son will not be a coward [turn his back on the enemy and run away]

Thanks, Feebs.

But how did you infer this reply?

Technically a wishbone is the v-shaped bone between the neck and breast of a bird. General Macathur is using the term as an analogy for the human breastbone, which is at the front of the body.

Therefore he is saying that he hopes his son will always face the dangers and troubles of life, and not turn his back to them.

Thanks, Feebs, for the sensible and reasonable answer.

That's interesting. My interpretation would be a little different.

Wishbone - a bone from poultry that you 'pull' and the winner who get the largest piece gets to make a wish. I would always connect 'wishbone' with making wishes.

I would interpret this as saying if you want something to happen, you have to do it yourself and use your strength of character/physical/emotional stre

I wondered about that. It is an alternative interpretation - and probably a better one

The end meaning is pretty much the same.