Original subtitles

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Merry Christmas, kids!

Merry Christmas, kids!

Well now, I wonder what in the world this could possibly be?

Looks like something that just might bring my hand again.

Oh, Merry Christmas, Mrs. Keenan!

Merry Christmas!

Thank you!

Have you been working today?

Special delivery, 365 days a year!

I thought it might as well get in the spirit!

Well, you certainly did that.

Oh, oh, oh! Have a nice day!

You too, George!

That was the last present!

No, it wasn't. There's another one.

It just came in the mail.

It's for you.

What is it, Grandpa? What is it?

It's a Christmas story.

Tell us, Grandpa! Yeah, tell us!

Yeah, Dad. Tell us.

Alright, have a seat.

Let's see, it starts out in the summer of 1953 in an army camp.

We've been near a place called Inchon. That's in Korea.

It was an aircraft carrier, about a couple hundred miles away in the yellow sea.

No, I'm getting ahead of myself here. I think maybe we ought to get back to that army camp.

Dad, Dad, Dad.

My wife, my little girl.

She's five now.

I haven't seen him in 18 months. It feels like forever.

Yeah, I got four of them at home.

They keep writing me letters saying, when are you going to come home, Daddy?

When are you going to come home? I don't even know what to say to him anymore.

Why don't you tell him I'll be on by Christmas?

You know, we should be able to sign the truce, but...

North Koreans, they never going to sign that truce.

All I want to do is go home.

I found a baby.

Garbage with the depot steps.

He's alive.

I don't understand who would do such a thing. He wouldn't just leave him like that.

Look at his eyes, Reed. Look at his hair. He's half American.

They don't want him.

What are we going to do?

Goodbye.

Let's have a look at him.

You're not so sweet. He can't be more than a few days old, sister.

We didn't know what else to do with him.

Let's have a look.

We'll be going down.

Yes.

I tried to feed him.

Little guy. He's just got to be starving.

Hey, you, you, Kata. You say you're...

There was no note when you found him.

No.

And what would your name be?

Dan.

Daniel Reed.

Well, then, we'll call him Danny.

This is our year.

Yes, Danny won.

Fought it. The Dodgers all the way.

Anyone. Anyone in Brooklyn, you mean?

I can't read. Maybe we should ask the captain.

The skip from me already got a bet on the season.

If the Dodgers win, I'm allowed to wear my hat.

Oh, and what if the Yankees win?

Never happened.

Mickey Manl, Yogi Barra, Duke Snyder, Roy Campanella, Whitey Ford,

Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges, Carl Farrillo.

Come on, father, you got a bet on the Dodgers.

No, come on, Rini. If I were a gambling man,

and I've never been a gambling man, I'd take the Yankees.

And what about you, Dr. Keenan?

Oh, sorry. I'm not here for my wife.

What was the question?

Who's better, Doc? Yanks or Dodgers?

Who won the World Series last year?

The Yankees.

The Yankees, but here before that?

The Yankees.

Here before that?

The Yankees.

And here, for that.

Four in a row.

Stand easy.

Doctor, I've got two new pilots

going to need full flight, physicals, and clearance by 2300.

Yes, sir.

Father, you'll talk these boys before they go up.

Absolutely.

Captain Hayward?

They need you in the radio room very well.

Camarini.

Sir.

You're not wearing this hat-a-board ship.

No, sir.

This is a Yankee ship, Captain. Everybody knows that.

Gentlemen?

Thanks.

Come on.

This is gonna get out of the...

I have never seen you following messages.

The truce has been signed by all parties.

The war is over.

A war is over.

A war is over.

A war is over.

A war is over.

Don't get too excited, gentlemen.

We have been reassigned. Repeat.

We have been reassigned.

He set a course for Incheon in one hour.

I don't know what our duty is.

But in John, I know we will carry it out with honor.

With anyone who will be on for granted.

Hey, we're out.

Who's sister, Felomena?

She runs the, uh, star of the Sea Orphanage the other side of the city.

We just land. How does she know we're here?

The woman knows more about who's coming and going in Incheon than anyone.

She is remarketing.

She single-handedly marched 400 orphans up into the mountains when Incheon was under attack.

She kept them alive somehow.

And after we'd taken the city back, just marched them right back down to the Orphanage.

What if she wanted?

Well, she said there's someone that I have to meet.

And if you and General Taylor could spare him for a little while, I'd like Dr. Keening to meet him too.

You see, the barn's on his back.

In the paracalied villages, the huts are heated by fired pits dug out below the floors.

And after he was born, they must have put him straight down on the bare floor.

Say his name is Danny.

Yes. He is as cute as he could be, isn't he, Dr.

Yes, he's very cute.

Okay, he's suffering from hypothermia, that's low body temperature, which is partly due to malnutrition.

That's another reason that he's weak.

The burns are minor. They're not good, but they're not that serious either.

Can you help him, Dr?

Well, I can treat the burns.

But for the hypothermia and malnutrition, he's going to need to have heat lamps and tube feedings.

And I can only do that aboard the point cruise. I'm sure they could treat him at the hospital and so.

You're such a darling boy, Dr.

Yes, sister, but you better get some formulatum right away.

Well, could you lift him up for me, Dr. Plains?

No!

There you go.

Oh, bloody bee.

Well, you're lucky that. You're the only one who's been able to see.

I think he likes you, Dr.

Please.

Excuse me for a while.

No!

No!

No!

General, it's good to see you again, sir.

You too, chick. Thanks for coming.

Oh, good, Dr. You just in time. General Taylor, this is you, Keenan.

Sir, I knew your father was a hell of a surgeon. Who's a hell of an officer?

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know, sir.

Gentlemen, we need the Navy's help.

We're holding 28,000 prisoners of war. They've got about the same.

Our boys are going to walk through the freedom gate and go home.

The communists want their prisoners back, too.

Problem is, their boys don't want to go back.

Why not?

A lot of them deserted.

China and North Korea are going to execute the ones that did.

You gonna let that happen?

Yeah, I don't know.

We're gonna set up a camp on the 38th parallel,

put the prisoners in it and tell this thing gets settled.

The Indian Army's gonna run the camp.

I need you to do two things, chick.

First, I want you to meet the boys

when they come through the gate,

and I need you to airlift the Indians into the camp.

Very well, sir.

I'll show you later.

Right, thanks.

Dear Genevieve, Captain Hayward and I greeted the American prisoners of war

as they walked through the Freedom Gate in Panmunjana.

My job was to examine the men

and have those who needed the most immediate medical care airlifted

to the Point Cruz Hospital.

The rest were driven to solve.

Come on.

Get these men in the tent.

It's hard to explain what I felt

as I watched these men help each other through the gate.

I thought of my father and my grandfather.

Well, we'll take care of you.

It made me proud to be a naval officer and a physician.

I'm gonna love that.

We're gonna take a little patch in.

Good to have you back.

Some of the men are in poor physical condition,

and I'm worried about them.

I'm worried about you, too, Genevieve.

I understand that this is hard for you,

but in the face of personal tragedy, you must gather yourself together and move on.

Promise me you'll try, as I have.

I wish I could be there with you, but my duty is here.

I miss you.

I miss you every day.

I love you, but...

The Indian Army will be arriving on three transports,

2,000 soldiers on each ship.

We'll have Sikhs, Hindus, and everything else.

Ideas to keep a circle going.

A full chaper will take off.

An empty wind will land in its place.

Soldiers will be loaded on.

It takes off, another empty one takes its place, and so on.

CBs are clearing landing platform near the camp as we speak,

because of that the assignment has officially been named operation platform.

Any questions?

How long you figured it'll take, Skippa?

You may not tell the Dodgers actually win the pen.

It'll be three days for transport faster if we can get more helos.

What do the ships get here, sir?

No word on that yet.

Before the end of the year, that's all I know.

I expected morale to be low.

It seems like every man on the crew is down.

Well, I'm afraid it's that way all over the ship.

So if I can get him home for Christmas.

Captain, there is a baby in Sister Philomena's orphanage.

An American baby down is his name, only a week older, so very poor health.

Dr. Keenan examined him and said that the boy would meet treatment in a hospital.

How was Keenan with the boy?

It was hard for him.

Two still-born sons. Three years, that'd be hard on anybody.

He was very professional.

No, he's a Keenan.

He's cut from the same cloth as his father and his grandfather, duty first.

Captain, I know it's against regulations, but could we bring Danny aboard the point crews?

I'd like to put him in the ship's hospital and nurse him back to health there.

You know an old admiral told me once that a leader has to have good judgment if he wants to be effective.

And good judgment, he said, is knowing when to intelligently disregard regulations.

You bring Danny aboard, let's get that baby back to health.

Yes, sir.

No!

What are you feeding him, Doc?

Formula bird brain, he's a baby, what else are you feeding him?

I think I've been a baby formula in Enchon.

It's a formula substitute.

Evaporated milk, right, Doc?

My wife uses it when I forget to get the formula at the store.

13 ounces evaporated milk, 17 ounces water, two tablespoons k-row syrup.

Don't let him throw that stuff up on you, Doc. Stains like hot tar.

Doc knows he's got kids.

No, actually I don't.

Well, here's how it goes, Doc. You feed him, nothing happens.

As soon as you put on a good shirt, they puke all over you.

That's how it goes with my daughter.

Never fails, I got two of them.

Boy, the girl, don't know who's worse.

What are you guys doing here?

The cap masters to report to you, Doc.

He told us to help you out with the baby.

He said you needed anything, just ask us.

So, uh, is she gonna make it?

You're doing great, right, Doc?

Yeah, he's a tough little guy.

He's a navy man now.

He won't ever give up.

That's right, that's right.

I work with him when I say if he can do it, I can do it.

Is she gonna make it, Doc?

Yep.

He's gonna make it.

You wanted to see me, Captain?

They, um, understand our little mascot's doing a lot better.

Oh, there you are, much stronger drinking from his own bottle.

Tems you're back to normal, Dr. Keenan's done a fine job.

I think half the crew's been at the hospital this year.

You know, I'm not sure if you're gonna get a good job.

I'm not sure if you're gonna get a good job.

I think half the crew's been at the hospital this year.

You know, it's a brave little boy.

Minutaken with him, they all pull him for him.

Hmm, it's funny, it seemed to happen overnight.

Is he well enough to go back to the orphanage?

Yes.

Can't stay on the point, crew's father.

He's got to go back to Sister Filomena.

He's half Korean, half American, the Koreans won't stand for him.

I'm sorry, father, captain.

The Korean nurses won't bathe him.

They won't change him.

They won't hold him and they won't feed him.

Sister Filomena could not watch after him 24 hours a day,

seven days a week.

If we send Danny back to the orphanage, he will die.

Look, I'm telling you for the last time,

this last can't be more than an inch apart.

I got an uncle in the business.

You don't know if he's Lewis, I got a criminal.

I don't know if you're going to have to bring the crib.

You've not done yet?

I asked you to build a crib for Danny.

Not a house on the Grand Coolidge.

Sorry, doctor, seems to be a slight difference of opinion on how you actually do build a crib.

Sturdy is the most important thing, and smooth.

We don't want him getting any splitter.

Is it true, Doc?

Did the skipper cold home and Danny's coming with us?

Captain sent a message to a friend of his who runs an orphanage in Pennsylvania.

Said if he can get a letter promising support for Danny,

a place to live and all that, then he'll try to get him back to the States.

New to skipper wouldn't let us down.

Of course not, he knows Danny's part of the crew now, can't just leap in here.

No, he's more than that.

It's like...

It's like he's the reason we fought this war in the first place.

Yeah, that's right.

You said it, Camarini.

Yeah, and I'll tell you another thing. This war ain't over until Danny's home.

Not for me, anyways.

It's the whole ship, Doc. Everybody's talking about Danny.

Yeah, the kids got a thousand uncles.

So how about it, Doc?

Captain Hayward will get Danny home, won't he?

Just finished the crib, boys.

Danny needs a place to sleep.

Captain Lusor, I'm getting out here.

Dear bud, life in Seattle goes on as if there never were a war.

I had a checkup with Dr. Randall yesterday.

He said I'm recovering nicely.

He also said, I may never be able to get out of here.

I may never be able to bear children.

I was pretty upset, as you can imagine.

I don't know how you'll handle this news.

I don't know what you're thinking.

What you're feeling.

You seem so far away.

Much farther than Korea.

I miss you, bud.

I wish you were here with me now.

All my love, Jen.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

It's a nice city. A lot of history.

What is it you think this letter means, Captain Hayward?

It means the boil.

Have a place to live.

You'll have food to eat, people to look after.

My friend runs a first-class orphanage.

Yes. But the child was born in Korea, not in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

I understand, but I'm sure you'll agree on the circumstances that Danny might be better off in the U.S.

The child is Korean.

We think his father's American.

And his mother?

His mother abandoned him on the doorstep of a U.S. Army-supplied depot.

But do you think she is Korean?

Yes.

And you want me to issue this passport so you can take him out of Korea?

Yes.

Away from his country. Away from his mother.

She dumped him in a packing crate.

I can issue this passport, Captain.

But I won't.

Not until I have spoken to the mother first.

Mr. Han, obviously we don't know where she is. We don't know who she is.

You'll find her.

In the meantime, the boy will stay in a Korean orphanage with other children.

We have many of them since the war you know.

The child is Korean, Captain.

Perhaps a Korean family will adopt him.

So that's it. He has to go back.

I was born in New York City.

You may know that, but what you may not know is that in 1923, I was bad boy for the New York Yankees.

I was 13.

That was the year the Yankee Stadium opened.

The house that Ruth built.

Mr. Rupert was the owner.

And one day, the World season even started. He came into the clubhouse.

And he told the team

that he has guaranteed the good people of New York, a World Series champion.

And what he wants from the team is their promise that that's what they'll do.

When the series Miller Huggins Manager stood up and said,

Mr. Rupert, we have yet to play a single game.

So, I don't know, world, are we supposed to keep a promise like that?

Mr. Rupert just looked in square in the eye and said,

by embracing the challenge, by refusing to fail.

This is a very old bottle of whiskey, an old premise,

and bought this years ago in Bourbon County, Kentucky.

This is a very fine whiskey in any country in the world.

And this is my last bottle.

My father, I want you to take this bottle. I want you to go ashore.

Take the doctor with you.

And don't come back without a passport for Danny.

I know you can do it.

By embracing the challenge, by refusing to fail.

Oh, with the finest hotel and soul to the world closer down,

somehow it avoided the devastation.

What are we doing here, Father?

The family that owns it, they refuse to leave.

They're here now. They try to keep the place up.

One day they'll open the doors again. You have to admire them for their conviction.

You're not going to tell who are we here?

We're trying to find a Korean government official with an appreciation for fine whiskey.

Do you know one? No.

But I know someone who does.

Oh, Father Riley, Dr. Keenan, so nice to see you.

Won't you come in?

Good to see you again, sister.

Yes.

Sister Filumin has said you were bringing something special.

To our little game.

Old Pretice. Nothing like it anywhere else in the world.

Gentlemen.

Dr. Carty.

Sister.

Oh, no. Thank you, Father.

But I don't drink whiskey.

Oh, Sister.

You know, I have heard that there is some medicinal value to an occasional shot or two.

Isn't that correct, Doctor?

Oh, yes, I've heard that too.

Oh, well then.

In the interest of medicine.

To your health.

Gentlemen.

Well, Father, what shall we play?

If I were a gambling man and I've never been a gambling man,

my game would be Straight Poker.

Five cards stud, two dollars a chip, no limit on the raises.

Chip, gentlemen, any help?

Let's see the color of your money, gentlemen.

Attention on deck!

As you were.

Good morning.

Sir, sir.

I'll be taking over Sunday's services for Father Riley this morning.

We will begin.

Captain, any word on when the Indians are coming here?

Yeah.

Skipper, is it true that you sent Father Riley in the dock to bring back a passport for Danny?

That's true.

Well, have you heard from Captain?

Not a word.

You think they'll get one skipper?

I hope so. I know we're in good hands.

We put our faith in Father Riley.

That's good.

Let's begin.

Sorry, Captain.

But is there going to be a name on this passport that Father Riley is definitely bringing back?

Yeah.

You've got to have faith, right?

No, I told him leave that blank, we'll fill it in later.

Well, Skipper, I'm thinking.

What, Camarini?

I'm thinking we've got to have a name for Danny, a full name, you know, for the passport.

That's right.

Danny needs a name, Skipper.

Yeah.

Come on.

Come on.

Well, we're all agreed that the first name should be Danny, right?

In honor of the soldier who found him.

Yeah.

Yeah.

That's right.

Well, what about Cruz for a last name as Endpoint Cruz?

Yeah!

Yeah!

Whoo!

Whoo!

All right.

What about him?

I've had a middle name, Captain.

What about George?

That's your name.

No!

It's got to be right.

Something special for Danny.

Yeah.

Yeah.

That's right.

For Dan.

What about Ashcomb?

What?

Ashcomb.

What the heck is Ashcomb?

That's the name of the supply depot we've found them.

Ashcomb.

Ask him.

Yeah.

Ask him.

So is that official Skipper?

Yeah.

Daniel, Ask him Cruz.

It's official.

All right.

All right.

All right.

All right.

What's up, buddy?

What's up, buddy?

What's up, buddy?

What's up, buddy?

That's two of you, Doctor.

What time is it?

What day is it?

Sunday morning, two and a half.

I haven't been up 24 hours straight since my residency.

I'm out.

All right.

I take two cots.

I take two cots.

I need two of you to come on.

I need two of you to come on.

I need two of you to come on.

The dealer will take two.

All right.

All right.

One hundred to you, Father.

I'm sure you're all my mother.

What are we up the bet, Mr. Kim?

What do you have in mind?

Give me a watch.

What?

Please, give me a watch.

I can't do that.

You know I can't do that.

It's for Danny.

Trust me, Doctor.

Oh.

A family heirloom passed down from father to son.

Have any generations?

Three.

Three.

Three generations of Navy officers and physicians.

Among the most respected naval families in the history of the United States,

and you can say that you wanted in a car, a game and soul.

And what would your colleagues in the government office think of that?

I have nothing of symbol of value.

Hope that you do, Mr. Kim.

A Korean passport.

A new life for a baby boy.

You were a gambling man, Father Riley.

And you've never been a gambling man, have you?

I'll say, read them and weep.

Full house.

It's a beautiful hand, Mr. Kim, but I have threes, and that would be four of them.

Mr. Filling, huh?

Why don't you take this part?

I'm sure you can find good use for it.

Take your watch, Doctor.

If you have the keys to your office, Mr. Kim, Dr. Keenan and I will stop by and get that passport on our way back to the ship.

Oh, my God.

I took them forever to get here.

They brought the whole village with them.

They must think they're going to be here a long time.

You know something we don't?

Peekaboo.

Where's Danny?

Peekaboo.

I see you.

Peekaboo, there he is.

I think every kid in the world likes that game.

Did you just take a walk with me, Doctor?

Yes, sir.

Keep an eye on the baby.

I'm looking for Danny.

Thank you, sir.

Now I will want you to keep this situation sanitary at all times.

Yes, sir.

Excuse me, this is Dr. Keenan.

Could you open one of the baskets for us, please?

Of course, sir.

Oh! They ought to use for religious ceremonies.

There are at least three of those in each one of these baskets.

That's exactly what I said.

Now, do we have an antidote on board or should I place a guard?

Place a guard, sir. Two guards.

What about all the other baskets?

I don't want to think about it.

We're equipped here for minor treatment.

If nobody said anything about landmines, I know.

Somehow we miss this field.

I'll be in the tent.

Mr. Schumann?

Excuse me.

Mr. Schumann, your office is in the building.

Mr. Schumann, your office is in the consulate.

I've just sent this over for you.

We've got a baby, important point, Cruz.

What kind of baby?

An American baby.

Half Korean.

Good luck getting him. A passport.

We've already got a Korean passport, but we will need a visa for him.

The end of the U.S. from Korea.

Not my department.

Yeah, I know that's what I'm talking to you.

Say, after you do, you can kind of get me into the back door.

It's all by the book now.

Bises are only issued in person. They're going to have to meet the baby.

Kina!

Kina!

Thank you.

Dear Jan, I attended the funeral of a Sikh soldier who was killed by a landmine.

No one knows or will ever know whether it was a North or a South Korean landmine.

And the truth is, it doesn't matter.

The two Korean governments can point their fingers at each other for the rest of time.

It won't change the fact that this Indian is dead, and that his wife and children are now alone.

We've finished transporting the first chip load of Indian soldiers into the camp.

The second and third ships don't arrive for several weeks.

We're leaving for Yikosuka Japan in a few days, R&R for the crew.

Then it's back to Incheon.

I think of you often, Jan.

And I love you more than I can say.

But...

He's doing good, right, Doc?

Because you said being abandoned the way he was, we'd have to watch his development real careful and all.

So far, so good, Camarini.

Now, at this age, they ought to be able to roll over by himself.

Clean night, per stock. They are driving by the flag, Halleard.

I destroyed across the harbors so they couldn't read our signal.

And get a load of these. Dress blues.

Guy in the engine room made them by hand.

Pretty good work, too.

What are we doing?

We're waiting for him to turn over.

Come on, Danny.

Come on, little guy.

Hey. Hey.

You're supposed to be able to do it, come on.

Come on now, you can do it.

Come on, Danny.

Come on.

You got it.

You doing it?

Yeah!

No!

Big deal.

Hey, little man.

These are for you.

So you'll look all dressed up and handsome when you go to town.

You better get them dressed.

Captain wants them ready by eleven hundred hours.

Yes, sir.

Come on.

Come on.

No!

Excuse me, I'm Captain John Hayward of the USS Point Cruz.

You'll have to wait.

Some of these people have been here for two days.

Well, I understand, but this child needs a visa, yes, I know.

All these people need visas, Captain.

And right now Uncle Sam is pretty particular about who and how many are going to get them.

I spoke to Lieutenant Garrity, under Congressman Post, and they said...

It doesn't matter what they said.

I'm sorry, Captain, but believe it or not, there's a line to get to this desk.

Let me ask you a question.

You want to see Danny living in some orphanage in Pennsylvania or in a house with a mother and a father?

Maybe brothers and sisters, a dog, you know, a house, a family.

Oh, a family? Sure, but, I mean, Captain already called his friend.

Yeah, well, I'm thinking.

Uh-oh.

I'm thinking we should find Danny a family.

How are we going to do that?

I don't know yet, but the skipper said we could be home by Christmas and I don't want him to hold away in some orphanage for his first Christmas, but no way, no harm.

Captain won't like it.

We won't tell him about it till it's done.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

He'd rather see Danny adopted any day. I know he would.

We're going to find him a family. A real family.

We got to.

Attention all hands. Attention all hands.

Maybe son on the hanger deck with the 14th house.

You want to please peek a wolf?

Peek a boo.

Peek a boo.

Peek a boo.

Peek a boo.

Peek a boo.

You got it?

Yeah.

I don't know.

Peek a boo.

Peek a boo.

Peek a boo.

Peek a boo.

Peek a boo.

Peek a boo.

Peek a boo.

Peek a boo.

Dear bud, Dr. Randall says I'm well enough to travel, so I will be in Yokosuka the last week of October to meet the point crews.

See you then. Love. Change.

I went by your cabin, but nobody was home, so I figured.

He's a cute little guy, isn't he?

You, State Department and Armed Services regulations are clear as a bell, and I won't be just as clear.

No active duty officer or enlisted soldier or sailor can adopt a foreign baby.

We're not even supposed to get him a visa and take him back to the U.S.

I know the regulations.

Well, I'm saying as I know how a tax you've become to him, and you mentioned that you're not going to be able to get him a visa.

You mentioned that your wife was meeting us in Japan.

She doesn't know about Danny.

I understand.

You have to be careful here, Hugh.

This line you can't cross.

This line I can't cross.

I guess I have become attached to it.

That's not just you, I'm worried about the whole crew feels the same way. I mean...

Danny's the baby we all left behind.

I pulled every string I could get my hands on.

It's a three-year wait for a visa end of discussion.

When we go home, we'll have to leave him behind.

I'm meeting her at some bar downtown. She's supposed to be there at 1,300.

We're in the close, Camarini. We're out of here at 15.

What am I supposed to do? It's the only time she had.

Don't miss the last launch. Don't worry about it. You think I want to get cord marshal? What are you going to tell me?

Yeah, what are you going to say?

I don't know. I don't think there's something we always do. I'm from Brooklyn.

Camarini.

It's hand-easy.

Been looking for you.

Well, son, it was a hard-fought series.

And bums have nothing to be ashamed of.

Well, Camarini...

Oh.

You have anything to say?

Gentlemen, we get underway at 1,500.

Oh, man.

Sure, you'll think of something to say.

Yeah. You always do. You're from Brooklyn.

Mm.

It's very awesome.

Mm.

Yeah.

It's a very good thing.

It's a very good thing.

Oh, man.

It's very awesome.

Oh.

Oh.

Yeah.

His full name is Daniel Ascom Cruz.

Ascom?

It's a long story.

The men fell for him right away.

I can see how that happened.

Oh, what a lucky little guy.

The plan was to take him back to the States and place him in an orphanage, but...

We can't get him a visa into the U.S. so when we get back to Korea, he's going to have to stay there.

Is the crew no?

No, the captain decided not to tell him until we get back to Incheon.

He didn't want to ruin their R&R.

Oh, oh, oh.

I think it's very sad.

See, Jen, this is why I didn't tell you because I knew that it would remind you.

And that it would make you sad.

I'm supposed to be sad.

You're supposed to be sad.

I am.

Or... I don't hear it in your voice.

I don't feel it in your letters.

Let go of the pain you said.

In the face of personal tragedy, we must gather ourselves together and move on.

Don't you see?

If we can't admit that we lost our children.

But I'm losing you because you won't feel this with me.

Jen, you have to go ashore in just a few minutes.

I can't believe you have to go back to Korea the day I get here.

We had no idea when the next Indian ship was going to arrive.

Well, what happens now?

You want me to go home, don't you?

What about your health?

Did George Ramble really clear you to travel?

I'm fine.

I don't need anybody to clear me. I'm not in the Navy.

We're going to be alone. What are you going to do for two weeks?

I'm alone all the time in Seattle. I spent most of my married life alone.

I always find something to do.

I'm worried about you.

But... I went camping in the Cascades by myself.

I hacked my own trails, pitched my own tent, cut my very own fish in Shalom Lake.

And somehow survived.

Made it back to Seattle. I think I can handle two weeks in Japan.

You caught fish in Lake Shalom.

We fished Lake Shalom for three days before we were married and never caught anything.

I caught you.

I'll see you back here in a few weeks.

I'm going to be here.

Can we play with you, man?

I'm going to be here.

I'm going to be here.

American baby home for Christmas.

It's got to be one of the best stories of the war, Christine.

It's got to be.

And you think, if... and I stress the word if... I write this story.

And if... see, there's that word again.

My paper runs it that people will contact the point crews wanting to adopt Danny when you get him to America.

That's the idea.

So, will you do it?

I don't know.

I do hard news, Camarini, war stories, big, loud stuff that grabs the whole country.

This is...

This is the heartstrings of America, Christine.

It don't get any bigger than that.

You don't have a visa.

No problem.

Captain Hayward's working on that.

Hayward.

Oh, John T. Hayward.

I knew that name, right?

The bell.

They're honoring him at a dinner and soul for Operation Platform.

Oh, man.

I got to go.

Look, Christine.

Just write the story.

Do it for Danny.

People see this face.

They're going to line up to take him home.

Look, I got to go.

I got to go.

Captain, the voxel reports the anchor is secured for sea.

Well, let's get underway.

I'll head one third.

I'll head one third.

I'll head one third.

I'll head one third.

I, sir.

Camarini never made it back, sir.

I have seen the crew list, Mr. Bentley.

But there are 4,000 Indians, soldiers sitting in in Sean Harbor.

My orders are to get us there immediately.

Nothing I can do.

I, sir.

Small boat approaching on the port quarter, Captain.

It's a fishing boat.

I'll stop.

I'll stop.

I'll stop.

I, sir.

Have them put a Jacob's ladder over on the fan tail.

And tell Camarini to meet me on the flight deck in 10 minutes.

I, sir.

You get a load of Camarini.

You smell terrible.

Man, that's bad.

You did fish.

Whoa!

Camarini, any sailor who would go to this much trouble to get himself, court marshaled.

It's the kind of man we need in the Navy.

Get yourself cleaned up, son, report for duty.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Dismissed.

Mr. Nixon, there's someone here.

We were going to go to the Navy.

Mr. Nixon, there's someone here.

We would like you to meet.

Mr. Vice President, Captain John T. Hayward of the USS Point Cruz.

Chick, Vice President Nixon.

Mr. Vice President, it is an honor.

And this is Father Riley, Point Cruz Chaplain.

Mr. Vice President?

Vice to me.

Captain, I want to thank you for the good work you did.

You didn't the Indian Army into the prisoners, Cam.

You got us out of a tough spot there, and we appreciate it.

Thank you, sir.

Have you heard about the captain's baby, Mr. Vice President?

Not my baby, sir.

I haven't been ashore long enough.

Oh, now come on, Chick.

We're all calling your ship the pregnant Cruz.

What baby are we talking about?

An abandoned baby, sir, half American.

He's been aboard the ship since the end of the war.

It means a lot to the men, sir.

We're trying to get him back to the United States.

And we cannot get to Visa.

Why not?

The consulate says it's a three-year wait, sir.

Nonsense.

Tell the consulate the Vice President Nixon says,

this baby gets a Visa for the Point Cruz leads for Japan.

Thanks again, Captain.

Thank you, sir.

The captain's baby.

The captain's baby.

Welcome aboard, sir.

And happy Thanksgiving, Admiral. Thanks.

Chick, same to you.

You're going to be able to stay at half dinner with us.

We got turkey and all the trimmings.

I'd like to, but we've got some people coming over later today.

Chick, I want you restocked.

I'm ready to leave for San Diego in three days.

Three days, yes, sir.

There's a rumor going around.

You've got an abandoned baby on board this ship you're planning to take back to the States.

Is that true?

Yes, sir. Would you like to meet him?

Maybe later.

Listen, Chick.

This goes against every regulation in the book.

I don't want to be the bad guy here, but you're in Japan.

This baby's in my heart.

But before we go any further, I'm going to contact Admiral Carney in Washington.

You got any problem with that?

No, sir. No problem.

So how are the wife and kids?

Fine, sir. Just fine.

Kids are growing up fast.

Forget. How many do you have?

Five.

They're all basketball teams.

Remove baby from point crews immediately.

I'm sorry, Chick.

Did you hear from that reporter?

Nah.

I think she even wrote that story.

Who knows?

And what's it matter now anyways?

Freaking, Navy.

We just fought a war for them.

Yeah, and they sure forgot all about us in a big hurry.

Never felt so double crossed my whole life.

Came today.

I addressed to Danny care of the USS Point crews.

I thought you might like to see them.

Gentlemen, I took the liberty of opening one to the crew of the USS Point crews.

I cried as I read the article about Danny in the Baltimore Post.

She wrote it.

My heart went out to him and to all of you as well.

My husband and I will always have room in our home for a baby as special as Danny.

And we would love to adopt him when he arrives in the United States.

He goes on like that from there.

And I would guess that the rest are much the same.

Well, that's just great, Father.

What good does it do Danny now?

We got to get him off the ship, don't we?

Then this is so cool.

So, that's it, Danny, is it?

You give up and Danny goes back to Korea.

What are we supposed to do?

It makes me mad as well.

In fact, it makes me so angry.

I don't know what to do or I don't know where to turn.

And then I hear something.

A glorious voice in my heart and soul.

It's God.

No, it's my mother.

All the way from Ireland.

And you know what she said.

She said, Edward, don't be mad.

Be productive.

Gentlemen, there are lots of ways to get Danny off the ship.

Don't you think?

Yeah, well, yeah.

Yeah, lots of ways.

All right, come on, you guys.

How much dough you got on you?

Come on, let's go.

Thank you, Father.

Oh, don't think me coming right here.

Say my mother.

Bring it down here.

Listen up, everybody.

I'm passing the hat for Danny.

The Navy wants him off the ship.

We're going to get him off the ship.

Let's go.

Come on, come on.

Come on, come on.

You go on your plans.

Go on, Danny.

Here's some more.

Go on, Danny.

Go on, Danny.

Oh, yeah.

You're such a big boy now.

Yes, you are.

Four months old.

Four months old already.

Oh, so many people love you, Danny.

Yes, they do.

The water is white.

I cannot cross the road.

And I'll...

Where's the nurse?

Oh, I told him I'd watch Danny,

so he could go and eat with his friends.

I didn't think he'd mind.

He knows my voice.

He looks around whenever he hears it.

You've spent every day with him since we got back from Korea.

Look how well he holds his head up.

Oh, he's such a big strong boy.

Big strong guy.

Hey, we'll get you some new clothes.

Danny, give me Thanksgiving dinner with all your friends.

Ken.

We can't have this baby.

It's against the law.

No armed forces personnel can adopt a foreign child.

I'm a commissioned officer.

I know.

You're a career-navy man from a distinguished family of career-navy men.

What are you saying?

I'm saying that you love Danny as much as I do,

but you're not willing to accept it.

I'm not willing to give up my life. This is who I am.

What about who I am?

What about who we are together?

You should never have gotten so attached to him.

You make it sound like a disease.

Getting attached, becoming emotionally involved.

Something you can surgically remove and repair.

That's not what I meant.

Life isn't surgery, but it isn't precise.

You can't even need and claim it.

It doesn't always work out the way you wanted it to.

The way you planned for it to.

You have to be willing to change.

You have to be open.

We are the perfect people to adopt Danny, and you know it.

It's not going to happen.

Tell me that you don't want this baby.

Tell me that you don't love this baby.

Tell me that you don't feel it in your heart.

What I feel doesn't matter.

It's against regulations.

Oh, how easy that is for you.

If you can't face it, you hide behind the rulebook.

I'm not going to do it.

Oh, how easy that is for you if you can't face it, you hide behind the rulebook.

That isn't true.

Yes, it is.

If it isn't the Navy's rulebook, it's the Keenans.

You don't always have to do it.

Your father and your grandfather did.

Sometimes you have to follow your own heart.

My family is important to me.

What about our family?

I won't give up my career for Danny.

I know.

Nothing against your friend, Captain.

It's just Danny deserves a real home.

We should have told you first.

We know that.

Yes, you should have told me.

$1,500, Skipper.

We passed a hat.

Everybody in the crew gave something.

We want to put Danny on an airplane and send him home.

Maybe you said get him off the ship.

We figured that's how we ought to do it.

Danny's visa allows him to travel from Korea to the United States,

not from Korea to Japan.

Now, I have been back and forth with a Japanese consulate in Seoul about this all day.

They are not going to cooperate.

I can't land Danny in this country.

Well, then we'll take him back to Korea and get him on a plane there.

It's too late.

We leave day after tomorrow.

Our orders came through.

I could take him.

Danny's going back to Korea, but he's not getting on any plane for the states.

The Pentagon didn't just say get him off the ship.

They said turn him over to Korean authorities.

They're supposed to pick him up at the base.

According to regulations, Danny is not a navy business.

He has no chance in Korea, no life at all.

You boys go through these letters and you choose a home for Danny.

I don't know how we're going to get around to all this,

but if I have to swim that boy back to America myself, I am not sending him back to Korea.

Go home.

I'm sorry to bother you at home, Admiral, but we leave for San Diego tomorrow afternoon.

I know Admiral Carney.

I want to call him again.

I know Mick Carney too, Chick.

Then what I know most about him is he doesn't like anyone questioning his orders.

It was midnight in Washington the last time we tried it.

Oh, for Pete's sake, Chick, it's midnight here.

It means it's 0900 at the Pentagon. Admiral Carney is at his desk right now.

Requesting now.

I will take full responsibility.

Carney's orders were addressed to me.

I'm the one who takes responsibility in this harbor.

I'm the one who will be questioning the chief Admiral a whole damn navy.

Sir, what I'm saying is maybe it wasn't Carney's order.

It was midnight. Maybe the Admiral was at home in bed.

Maybe some Lieutenant Commander got that message.

Danny is against regulations, so he makes a decision.

Gets his chance to be a Pentagon big shot.

So he sends out an order in Carney's name.

Without checking with the chief Admiral first, you're grasping at straws here, Chick.

Straws are all I have, sir.

Signal.

Come on.

On the air.

Man.

Yay!

You can't hear.

You're set for San Diego.

Nothing on the bridge.

Mary on.

All departments have reported the inskipper.

We'll be ready to go underway at 1300.

Very good.

Most likely, my beyond.

Lieutenant Al has.

This is the captain.

I received the message after midnight that I would like to share with you.

To the captain of USS Point Cruz, from the office of Naval Operations, Pan Am.

Get that baby home for Christmas, Chick.

Whatever it takes.

F-P-R, the Navy ever had.

In regards to the

Captain of USS Point Cruz, from the office of Naval Operations, Pan Am.

Get that baby home for Christmas, Chick.

Whatever it takes.

F-P-R, the Navy ever had.

In regards to the car.

No!

Oh, Mary.

Would you like it?

You'll never get this boys back to work now.

And we'll get underway at 1400.

It's okay with me.

Jan, all ashore in five minutes.

I'll be right there.

Honey.

I'm okay.

I'll go.

I have to say goodbye now, Danny.

You'll be a good boy on your way back to America.

You'll have your own family and make lots of new friends.

I know you're going to have a wonderful life.

And somebody is going to be a very lucky one.

I'm going now.

I'll watch your meal.

You'll need a bottle after his nap.

I know. Thanks.

And you'll need in your diaper.

Okay, Miss Key. I'll check.

Get your home.

Okay.

Okay.

Wait a minute.

I already read this letter.

We read all of these letters.

Everybody wants to adopt Danny.

Look, just vote.

Give me your hand.

I'll have to go.

Well?

Enjoyed meeting your wife.

It seemed like the two of you had a nice visit.

It was good to see her.

She certainly did get on with Danny.

Yes, she did.

My mother's name is Genevieve.

You didn't know that, did you?

Not that common a name, really. I find it quite a coincidence.

She wanted me to resign my commission so we could adopt Danny.

What did you say?

I said no.

This is my life. This is who I am.

If I'm not a naval surgeon, then who am I, right?

Yes.

Anyway, then she changed her mind.

That's what she loved me too much to ask me to change my life.

And how did that make you feel?

I got let her down.

I got let Danny down.

Whichever way I turn these days, I feel like I'm disappointing somebody, especially myself.

No easy answer, is there?

Easy, no.

But there is an answer.

Somewhere in your heart there is an answer waiting to be discovered.

But if I can't discover it?

Well, that's where faith comes in.

We have to have faith that when we can't find the answer in ourselves, God will show us the truth.

Thank you, Father.

For what? For listening?

My pleasure.

Maybe we'll even catch something before we show off.

Oh, yes.

The men came to me a few hours ago.

They decided on a mother and father for Danny.

They chose you, Doctor.

And Jen.

Well, they made a second choice to be safe.

But they weren't Danny to be part of your family.

I thought you'd like to know.

Attention all hands.

Baby sign is on that hand deck until 1400.

Repeat.

Baby sign is on the hand deck.

You should be brought in to say goodbye.

Better be in line.

We'll be in line.

Here you go, Danny.

I'm going to miss you, pal.

You're going to miss you, guy.

I'll get you.

Throw a lap, you awesome.

Another one.

Hey, Dan.

I wrote you a letter, Dan.

It's just some stories about what happened while you were here.

I wish I could tell you them face to face someday.

This is when we first got to Japan.

My name's on the back.

I had Lewis take two of these.

I'm going to keep one forever.

Hey.

This is my address.

If you ever am puree, are you?

So long, Dan.

I'm never going to forget you.

I'm not going to forget you.

I'm not going to forget you.

I'm not going to forget you.

I'm not going to forget you.

I'm not going to forget you.

I'm not going to forget you.

I'm not going to forget you.

Afternoon, sir.

Afternoon, Doctor.

Captain, you told me there was a line I couldn't cross.

But the problem is that the line just keeps moving.

I want to adopt Danny, sir.

I want a discharge from the Navy.

You're willing to give up your career for this baby.

It's not just for Danny. It's for Jim.

And it's for me.

Come.

Are you busy, Captain?

Just last minute reports in Fripplican, of course.

Because your work will be the death of me, Father, that I know.

I sent this out about an hour ago.

I'm going to the Chief of Naval Personnel from the Captain, the SS-Point, Cruz.

I respectfully request a full and immediate discharge from the Naval Service

in a complete return to civilian life.

On behalf of Dr. Hugh Keenan upon arrival of Point Cruz and Cynthia Pickham,

he decided to adopt Danny.

Are you dead?

And you planned this thing from the very beginning, didn't you?

No. I can't take credit for the plan.

That comes from the main office.

Ah.

Well, maybe I did help it along.

Ah, Captain.

Come to say goodbye.

You'll be busy with me, Doc, and then I don't know when I'll see you.

Oh, yeah.

Camarini.

Father Riley tells me you're headed straight back to Brooklyn.

Oh, place like home, Skipper.

Well, we can't have you walk around there without this.

Thank you, Captain.

Skipper.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Camarini.

Dr. Hugh Keenan is hereby detached from all active duty

and return to civilian life upon his arrival in San Diego.

Oh, congratulations, Hugh.

Thank you, Father.

It's hard to believe.

The Captain gave it to me this morning.

He called the Pentagon a dozen times.

Must have been tough for him to get, but he did it.

By embracing the challenge.

By refusing to fail.

Yeah.

And don't you look smart.

Oh, my.

He's been for five months.

You really caught up?

Yes.

Well, that's what you'll get when you get a lot of love and affection.

Are you ready?

Are you ready?

I'm nervous.

I feel like I've spent my whole life in the Navy.

Everything is going to be so different now.

Oh, yes.

You know, Hugh, thanks to the Navy,

I've been able to fish just about every ocean and harbor in the world.

And it's always different.

Never the same.

Fish are different.

Bates different.

Weather's different.

But one thing never changes, no matter where I am or what I'm fishing for.

And would you know what that is?

No, Father, I doubt it.

Me.

I'm always the fisherman.

Ah.

Well, hmm.

Goodbye.

And God bless you.

And your beautiful family.

Good luck, my friend.

Good-bye, Father.

Thank you for everything.

Thank you.

My.

My, my, my.

I will all miss you, young man.

I will all all miss you.

You're in good hands now.

God bless you, son.

God bless you.

Daniel Asscom Cruz, departing.

Lieutenant Commander Hugh Keenan, United States Navy, departing.

Permission to go, sure, sir.

Permission to go, brother.

I'm like getting home Christmas day, huh?

Nothing like it.

Merry Christmas, sir.

Merry Christmas, thank you.

Hi, Jim.

We're home.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Wow.

Isn't that a wonderful Christmas story?

That was you, Daddy.

It's a Christmas story about you.

It's about all of us.

It's about being a family.

Well, dinner must be done.

I'll help you, Jim.

Thank you, Shirley.

Bud, can you carve the turkey?

I'm a surgeon, remember?

Ben, it's invitations for you too.

Thank you.

Brother, dear.

Come on, children.

I'm in the kitchen and help your mother.

Come on.

In September 1995, Daniel Keenan was guest of honor at the reunion of the crew of the USS Point

Crews.

Then he paid tribute to the men who saved his life.

And the crew had the chance to tell him once more how much he meant to them.

And that he would always have a place on their ship and in their hearts.

MUSIC