Mattis known as "Warrior monk" and "enlisted man's officer"

One story was told by Shields (of Brooks and Shields) on PBS NEWSHOUR Today. The story goes like this. An officer asked who was the officer of the day on Christmas day on a marine base and was told it was General Mattis. The other officer was flabberghasted and asked General Mattis what was going on and why he was watching the guards on Guard duty at Christmas?

General Mattis replied, "I felt the officer of the day needed to be with his wife and children on Christmas more than he needed to be here so I took his duty and relieved him for Christmas."

This is the kind of enlisted man's officer which has built an incredible reputation for him among Marines.