Original subtitles

I mean, I've talked with guys you flew with, Pappy.

Yeah, I think I'm gonna fit right in.

Isn't this photograph of your daughter? Yeah.

Well, you know, I could swear I saw her on La Cava.

You and I are playing, Doctor, aren't we?

Rick, I just flew it.

Hi, Dad.

And I really do like you, son. But I'm not going

to be responsible for sending you up there.

We can get killed.

Can't you understand? The Corps is my home.

We are poor little lambs Who have lost our way Ba-ba-ba-ba.

Flocked to enlistment centers, volunteering to fight in this

country's life and death struggle against the combined enemies abroad.

Training from coast to coast, they learn a new trade.

The lessons needed to survive in war.

From every corner of this great nation, they

come eager, alert, and the best on earth.

We wish them well and pray for their safety.

All personnel scheduled to take the 10-15 air transport to Vila La Cava at Munda.

Check your orders with me aboard.

Gonna fly with Boyngen, huh?

Yeah, that's right, Sergeant.

I, uh, hope you can hold your liquor, son.

Never had any trouble yet, Pop.

Lieutenant Samantha Green, I'm supposed to go to the hospital on Vila La Cava?

Yes, the hospital.

Yeah. Good. I see.

Huh? What's a nice girl like you gonna do in a dump like that?

Change bedpans, I suppose.

Hi, stranger.

How are things in Glaccamora?

They're a what? Nothing.

I'm Lieutenant Samantha Green.

Jeff Pruitt.

I'm going to the hospital on Vila La Cava.

Uh, I'm gonna be flying 214.

I had this flight instructor, Pensacola.

His name was Captain Freddy. He called me butch Whitaker.

A real old-time flying leatherneck.

He had me grounded at Pensacola for almost two weeks.

While he double-checked my agent and enlistment through the War Department.

Had to stay two weeks to get caught up in aerobatics

and the new radar interceptors because of that guy.

Hope I don't run into anyone like that out here.

I don't think you will. I've heard a lot about the black sheet.

And from what I hear, they're a pretty rough bunch.

That's a paper glider sent up by the publicity corps.

I mean, I've talked with guys who flew with Pappy.

A spit and Polish outfit. No nonsense and get the job done.

And plenty of air victories.

Yeah, I think I'm gonna fit right in.

Hubba hubba.

No kidding, Lieutenant. I'm a good pilot. You should see my flight school stats.

Number one in radar tracking. Number one in aerobatics.

Number one in formation flying. And number one in ground school.

And the last guy to graduate, huh?

Are you nervous? Huh? No.

Hell no.

I always am when I hit a new duty station.

I mean, what will the people be like or who like it in? Oh, yeah.

That kind of nervous. Yeah, sometimes.

Identify their grip. Pull up! Pull up!

We have an R4D taken off! Get out of there!

Can you believe that guy? He didn't even check with the tower vehicles.

Who is it?

That's the plane bringing 214 back from Sydney.

You mean you're not 214?

Are you kidding?

We've been flying off this dust farm while Boyington and his boys

were wrecking the female population in Sydney or Perth or wherever.

We're 367. That is 214.

I need some illicit help.

To offload a 17th-century pipe organ.

How did you think that landing?

Landing? This is a good landing.

I thought so. I thought it was this shadow in front of me for a minute.

Looked like another plane. See what it was? A plane.

It's a good plane.

What is your drinking with you? Drinking.

It's good drinking.

You're my kind of boy.

Introducing from Sydney, Australia,

the New World Contender, Harry the Rock O'Shottison.

These guys fly.

Let's go, Rock.

Here you go. Come on, Rock.

Let's go, Rock.

Bobby, you're gonna have to put drugs on his feet.

Let's go, Rock.

Come on, Rock. Come on, Rock.

Here it comes.

I see more leaves on the O.I.C. than I have on the tree.

Oh, wow.

Did you get hit by a fungus? Look at that thing.

Oh!

Stanley, you're never gonna believe the deal I got.

You guys are really the bottom of the barrel.

You're gonna be a contender.

Okay, saddle up.

Let's get this big bird out of here.

Next stop, Australia. That is if Boyington left any of it floating.

Hope you didn't ruin my airplanes.

They were ruining what we got here, Major.

I suggest that you court-martial your maintenance chief.

He beat up one of my pilots.

And he calls everybody College Boy.

This isn't Sidney.

They said they'd tie me to Sidney.

They make a nice entrance, don't they?

I especially like that kangaroo.

You know, maybe this is gonna work out for both of us.

Maybe.

Hey, Andy, how you doing?

You brought that bunch of pre-adolescents back in the air.

I was doing okay. We had a real squad in here for a while.

Marines is to the College Boys.

Well, I heard you beat up one of those Marines.

You know what's wrong with you? Yeah, I know what's wrong with me.

I'm a little hungover.

Standing here grinding a hash with you isn't gonna help.

You're slowing down.

I'm gonna tell you something.

One of those kangaroos could beat the hell out of you, Micklin.

Hey, Boyington!

Hey, Carl, did you miss me?

Are you drunk?

No, sir, I'm not drunk. I can't get drunk, you see,

because the flight surgeon had given me last

year for being drunk, and I can't get drunk.

Listen, just because we're having a change of

command does not mean that the war has stopped.

You're supposed to be flying a mission in four hours.

No, how can I fly a mission in four hours when it's gonna be dark in four hours?

And if I fly a mission in four hours,

how can I hit my target in dark?

Sir, nevertheless, that's what you're going to be doing.

Come on, I'll buy you a cup of coffee.

Make that a pot of coffee.

Come on! How you doing, Sarge? You the line chief?

No, I just stand here in the hot science with no of these birds gonna like it.

I'm gonna replace the pilot.

Which one of these would be mine?

The one with the training wheel.

Hey, Larry, can't you see where I'm gonna put this thing?

How about down, Lieutenant?

You just carried the orange!

Oh, sure!

Put a man over there by the window!

It's gonna look so good! It fractured.

Put that thing against the water.

Now, Richard's gonna go out on the plane and get the pipes in the big one box.

Hype, Lieutenant.

Go now!

Boy, I can't believe that.

Jerry, put the pipes in.

You're gonna have to cut holes in the ceiling.

You cut holes in the ceiling.

It's gonna be raining in the chief camp.

Yeah, who are you?

Replacing pilot, sir. Just got in.

Pilot? Yes, sir.

I'm looking for Major Boyington.

How old are you? Nineteen.

Hey, I gotta find him.

Well, uh, try an op-shack. That's your best bet.

Thank you, sir.

You're welcome.

Hey, Larry.

Did he miss me?

Uh, he's nineteen. I'm twelve.

I was twelve. I wouldn't be here.

Perfect.

It's just beautiful, just like I thought it'd be.

Just like I dreamed it'd be.

Anybody touch this thing?

I'll put a flocking on so you're knocking.

Well, I may not touch it, French,

but I may set this organ on top of it.

You know, they're saying it was full of flowers when I first saw it at the church.

O'Shaughnessy?

That's Harry O'Shaughnessy.

I was supposed to be assigned to the hospital here.

Somebody was supposed to pick me up.

Well, Harry O'Shaughnessy,

that'd be delighted to take the wires.

The two selection on the girls at the door before you go in.

You guys are funny.

Her name was Melissa.

I think her name was Melissa.

Anyway, we stole a jeet.

Where'd you go?

Oh.

Listen, Major, you need some coffee.

Do yourself a favor.

Will you button it until you're sober? I'm all right.

I'm not.

Is that Major Boynton?

Yeah, that's him.

That's the famous Boynton.

That's him.

That's him.

Yes, ma'am.

Dottie Dixon.

Hi.

I'm sorry I'm late.

I had a captain start a severe abdominal hemorrhage.

Had to cut him open again.

Rouched a collarbone.

Just laced him up and got right over.

How you doing, Bob?

See you brought your brother back with you.

Very funny.

Go on, get that module.

Go on.

Go on.

Colonel Lark.

Well, while you were on leave,

we've been getting ready for a big push

using Munda as a staging area.

Now, that's far enough down the slot

so that enemy bombers have not been able to penetrate during daylight hours.

However, last week, they switched to night raids.

They've been bombing by moonlight and they've been damned effective.

And we've got to stop them.

Now, that means night flights up the slot for you.

Yes, I know, I know, Captain.

How are you going to see enemy bombers at night?

And how are you going to fly formation without running lights?

Well, I'll tell you, it's going to be difficult and risky.

But we're going to make it work because we have to.

There'll be five other squadrons flying out there

the same time as you are, patrolling different sectors.

That means we're going to be using only one formation to avoid traffic difficulties.

It's going to be a Navy cross, four planes in the air from each squadron on rotation.

All right, any questions?

Well, I got a question.

Who in this chicken outfit's over and up

to get out of their chair and into their bird?

Who are you?

Jeff Pruitt, sir, replacement pilot.

And I'm ready to fly, Major.

Not this flight.

Sit down, son.

I'll talk to you when I get back.

Now, the rest of you, out of your chairs.

We forgot something.

OK.

Now, right foot, left hand.

Jump up and down.

Five minutes.

Aussie co-swatch has confirmed a couple of dozen

enemy bombers had left for ball as expected at sunset.

In daylight, we'd be hunting at 20,000 feet.

But I was hoping to spot them against the high

surface, so we were practically on the deck.

10 minutes out, we crossed into enemy territory,

and that's when it got hairy.

Hey, you guys.

Here's where we sweat out the Aussie booze.

Nothing will sober you up quicker than hurtling through the dark at 300 knots,

with only an exhaust flame to guide on.

Oh, look now, but that's New Georgia passing below.

We missed it.

Standard rate turn on my count of three.

One, two, three.

Damn.

Any damage?

Test of my flight suit.

Same here.

Hey, Pepe.

At least I'm sober now.

All right, stay close.

You may get lucky on the way home.

The Japanese hit the staging area on Mundo again last night.

We lost 10,000 gallons of aviation fuel,

half the motor pool, and a small arms ammo dump.

Damn.

Yes, sir.

Strike.

Thank you.

None of the intercepts worked.

Nope.

In two days, Admiral Halsey's going to try to pull off a miracle.

He's going to unload the entire 3rd Marine Division on Mundo in one night.

If those ships get caught in that bay,

hell, I don't even want to think about it.

Sir, isn't the Lexington with Halsey?

Yes, but more planes aren't the answer.

No, I know that, sir, but she just came back from a refitting.

Now, she might have one of those new radar-equipped night fighters on board,

and if she does, we could send that to a forward base to use as a pathfinder.

Smart thinking, Colonel.

Thank you, sir.

Get on it.

If they've got one, have them ship it over to La Cava.

Yes, sir. Right away.

Say, excuse me, General.

Isn't this a photograph of your daughter? Yeah.

She's nice at Bethesda, Maryland.

Well, you know, I could swear I saw her on La Cava, one of the new replacements.

Oh, that's impossible.

Yes, sir.

Don't frighten me like that.

Things are bad enough.

I thought of her on the same island as the black sheep.

Yes, sir. I know what you mean.

Yeah, I was probably mistaken.

Still, it's a remarkable resemblance.

Sam is the image of her mother.

Sam?

Well, her name is Samantha, but I've always called her Sam.

She's quite a tall boy.

Good morning.

I'm Dr. Clarence Armbruster.

I'm here to give you your physical before being attached to our base.

Oh, you scared me, Dr. High.

I'm Samantha Green.

They call me Sam.

I'm sure they do.

I don't see any doctors insignia.

Oh, well, that's because we're up at the front, Sam.

You know what the front means.

The front means no frills.

Roll up your sleeves, get the job done.

I happen to be a lieutenant colonel.

But pay no attention to that either.

I'm a doctor first.

And out here, the only thing that counts are results.

Okay. I'm convinced.

Well, good.

Well, then why don't you just come right over here and just jump up on the bed.

That's it. Just right over there on the bed.

Doctor, I already had to look already in.

I bet those guys didn't give you your dingo fever shot either.

Huh?

Just lie down right here.

Relax. Be comfortable.

That's it.

Just lie down right there. Be comfortable.

Close your eyes.

And take a deep breath.

Just what the heck do you think you're doing, doctor?

What am I doing?

I'm taking your pulse.

Taking your pulse listens to your heartbeat.

You have a very, very strong heart.

Uh, I left my, uh, my stethoscope over at Dr. French's office.

Dr. French has my stethoscope.

My ding-what? Your ding.

.. Oh, your dingo.

Dingo fever.

It's a new strain of virus that has, uh,

entirely blighted the entire French Polynesian population.

Just where did you learn your medicine, Captain?

Uh... The, uh, school of, uh, hard knocks.

You and I are playing doctor, aren't we? Yeah.

Well, there was this little boy where I lived once,

and he always loved to play doctor.

But when I play, it's for all.

Or nothing.

W-w-what do you mean?

Well, I get to give you a physical, too.

Oh! Oh, yes, yes, yes, of course.

Yes, give me a physical. Yes.

Uh... Oh, that's nice.

Uh, that's, oh, that's nice.

Yeah, well, you're, you're, you're pretty nice to yourself, Lieutenant.

Go ahead and just, just hold onto that there.

Uh... No, no, no.

Okay, now, you lie down right here,

and I'll examine you, okay? Mm-hmm, yes.

Yes, right.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Half-time getting out of here.

What? Hey!

Oh, oh, oh! No, no, no, no!

Come, come back here!

Go on, come on, I'm in trouble now.

Uh, what am I gonna do?

Ah, Sam! Oh, I'm sorry.

Hi, I'm the new replacement nurse.

Oh, hi, I'm Susan.

Nancy.

Ellen.

Hi, I'm Sam.

Sam? Uh-huh.

Sam for Samantha.

Like Charlie for Charlotte or Ted for Theodora?

Or, well, didn't your dad want a boy?

Why would my father want a boy?

I guess you're all kind of wondering about these.

Oh, no.

Well, you're never gonna believe this.

But some guy came barging into my room,

pretending to be a doctor.

He tried to examine me.

We believe it.

You do? Yeah.

With the black sheep around, anything can happen.

What do you look like? Short, dark hair? Bobby Boyle.

No, this guy was blonde about 5'11".

He had... Oh, wait a second.

Casey Lawrence?

Mary!

My Mary?

There must be some kind of a mistake.

Oh, I'll bet it was somebody else.

I mean, if this guy were pretending to be a doctor,

why wouldn't he pretend to be this Larry, too?

That makes sense.

I mean, why would Larry give Sam a physical?

He hardly ever gives me one.

It must have been somebody using Larry's clothes.

Those black sheep are terrible.

Yeah, I'll bet they are.

What other little adventures do I have to look forward to?

Oh, well, for starters,

they'll offer you a drink called a ticking Mickey.

You're kidding.

No. They've tried it on all of us.

They told us they got it from an island witch doctor,

a rare native drink,

that not only is supposed to make you forget the war, but prevents malaria.

We analyzed 100% pure grain alcohol spiked with ether.

You're okay for about a half an hour, then wham, lights out.

But don't tell them we told you, okay? Okay, I won't.

A ticking Mickey, huh?

What does the black sheep call it?

One beer special, come on up.

Pardon me. Excuse me. Pardon me.

First day we got on this island, we mixed this drink,

called it a BS special, so down the hat, sweetheart.

Oh, then let's be sure for black sheep, right?

We really should have a toast, don't you think?

A toast? Absolutely a toast.

Bobby, make a toast.

What are you, nuts? The only thing I could say is, you can't say it makes company.

Tell it, Bobby, tell it.

Casey, you're the captain. You say it.

Sure, uh, Happy New Year.

There! Happy New Year!

Aren't you drinking with me?

Uh, um, this is the last bottle.

That's right. We only permit newcomers to drink the black sheep special.

That's a tradition.

Right, guys? Hey, I'm a new rival. Where's mine? Oh, no.

No, no, no, no, no.

Is something on?

We, uh, Jeff, we got a different drink for the pilot.

Yeah, it's a lot stronger, Jeff.

Not just a minute, Commander.

With all the respect.

I may look like a kid, but I'm not.

If this drink is part of black sheep tradition, then I want my share.

Oh, Jeff, you've had quite a bit to drink tonight.

Being your first night now, maybe, uh...

Sam, are we gonna have a toast or not?

Welcome to the black sheep, Jeff.

Welcome to the black sheep, Sam.

I think I'll go to my tent now.

Major Boynton. Lieutenant Jeff Pruitt, sir.

Remember? The new replacement pilot.

Yes, sure, Pruitt. Welcome aboard.

Thank you, sir.

How old are you?

Old enough to be on a DS special.

But that's for... Replacements, sir. They told me and Sam.

Sam?

Nurse Samantha Green. She came in on the same flight.

Are we going up in the morning, Major?

We're not going up till I give you a chin, right?

Well, how about first thing in the morning?

We'll see, Pruitt.

Well, I'd appreciate it.

What can I command her, Major?

I better keep an eye on him.

He drank a water glass of all that stuff.

I love you.

You're late.

Scotch on the rocks.

You remembered.

How could I forget?

Hey, but, Pappy, you can't do that.

He just did it.

Two Scotch on the rocks.

My name's Greg Boyington.

You look like you need a little relief.

I didn't, but it's okay.

I'm Samantha Green.

My friends call me Sam.

So I read a lot, sent a lot, and played a lot of tennis.

Did just about everything I could think of to kill time until college started.

In other words, you're saying you had a lonely summer.

No, I didn't say that.

Okay, maybe I did.

Maybe it was.

Oh, hell, why kid around? That summer was a disaster.

Why?

Do you know anybody in Washington?

Sure, I know FDR, I know Eleanor.

Only by reputation.

Well, my dad's a big wick on Capitol Hill.

Really? Yeah.

So the only guys that came around were either

shaking in their boots or using me to impress him.

I mean, I really loved my dad, but his position was pure hell on my social life.

Well, no one's gonna care who your father is around here, Sam.

I hope so.

I know so.

Greg, I just got in. I think I better pack it in for the night.

Sure.

Good night.

Good night.

Knock, knock.

Come on in.

You're supposed to say who's there.

What I can see in the mirror.

It's a game.

Sam, I'm a little old for games.

I guess I did behave a bit like a kid the other night.

I mean, what's the harm in a little kid?

Greg, I just flew it.

Sam.

Hi, Dad.

There it goes, there it goes. Come on.

All right.

I don't know which of my ex-friends helped you.

But what I find out...

And using your mother's maiden name.

That was... That was... Brilliant.

Inexcusable.

That's for Mom.

And that's for me.

That's why I want to be a general.

Damn it, Sam. Why did you do it?

Twenty-two years of service, Bratton. You ask why?

But why here?

We're not a hospital ship, or Hawaii, or Australia, or Timbuktu.

Or Seton Hill.

What?

Don't you remember? I was six.

We were stationed in Haiti.

There was a revolution or rebellion or something going on.

Mom stayed with you.

So?

So I got shipped to the Seton Hill School for young ladies?

Dad, I'm not six anymore. I'm twenty-two.

And a Navy nurse.

But why here?

Because this is where the action is.

Look, they needed a trauma trainer, so here I am.

Well, not for long. I'm ordering you home.

You can't do that, Dad.

If I can move to Visions, I can move one daughter.

What about the other nurses stationed here?

What about them?

Well, don't you think they have parents who'd rather see them somewhere else?

Somewhere safe?

You can't ship me home, Dad.

And you know it.

Dad.

How am I going like that?

Put your hands right over that animal.

Taking your plane off under a strafing attack is a good way to win the Navy Cross.

It's an even better way to get killed.

You can't turn a Corsair inside a zero, especially at fifty feet.

It's physically impossible.

Yet, I had just seen it done.

You'd have been on the ball when he got that last one.

Thanked it for the merchant had it in him.

Whoa, you meathead. That was stupid.

But I'm putting you in for a medal.

Tell you what, Major. I'll solve for calling it my checkride.

Morgan? Yes, sir.

Hard word with you.

Yes, sir.

You stay right there. You understand? Yes, sir.

Morgan, the Halsey's sending a radar-equipped

night fighter from the Lexington tomorrow.

Oh, we can use it, sir.

Once she gets here, she'll lead it to the

bombers, and after that, it's all up to you.

Now, great. I told Halsey that he can unload his Marine

Division tomorrow night without getting plastered.

Sir, you get that plane here and he can. You have my word on it.

I've got to get over to Fleet for a meeting.

Otherwise, I'd stay around here and try to

straighten this all out, but I need a favor, Frank.

Yes, sir.

I've saved the butts of every one of you black sheep at least once.

Yes, sir.

Yours, thousands of times.

Absolutely, General.

She's my daughter, Green.

I know that, sir.

You don't understand. She's my daughter.

She's my little girl. She's the one I bounced on my knee.

She's the one I stayed up with all night when she had the measles.

She's the one I taught to look both ways when she crossed the street.

What is it that you want, General? What I want.

..

What you want is to put a fence around her to declare off limits.

Isn't that right, sir?

I want you to be your friend.

Throw it!

This isn't flight school. You don't have to jump

up and down like a yo-yo every time you see me.

Yes, sir.

Your record says you were first in aerobatics,

first in tactics, first in just about everything.

After what I saw today, I believe it, son.

Thank you, sir.

It also says that you're 19.

Yeah, that I am.

And there's a birth certificate, some certified papers,

and everything but a letter from FDR swearing to your age.

Now, I don't believe that, son.

Tell Major, why should you be any different?

Jeb, I like you.

I mean, I really do like you, son.

But I'm not going to be responsible for

sending you up there where you can get killed.

Major, I'm nearly 20, or if you prefer 19... I prefer the truth.

17, 16, 15. You're not 14.

You've just flown your first and last combat mission, son.

I don't know how old I am. I was abandoned as a child.

Maybe 17.

Maybe 16.

I've always said I never cared what a black sheep did,

as long as he pulled his own weight.

I mean, I didn't give a damn about his drinking

habits, his personal habits, his love life.

But this is different. I mean, I have to draw the line somewhere.

I'm shipping you back home.

And I'm sorry.

You can't do that, sir.

I just did.

Can't you understand? The Corps is my home.

This is the first time in my life I've ever been part of something.

Something I could be proud of.

Damn it, Major, this is all I've got.

I'll tell you what, kid.

You can stick around here for a while.

Maybe I can send you back home.

without them finding out how old you are.

But no flying.

Yeah, that's like giving me ice cream and telling me I can't eat it.

Don't you push me, son.

True to his promise, General Moore arranged for one of Admiral Halsey's

new radar-equipped F4U2s to be dispatched to Vella La Cava.

The pilot was a Navy ace named Lieutenant Commander Bill Ingram.

These planes had only been out in the Pacific theater a little over three weeks.

We'd heard about them. With that scoped in the lead plane,

we could find those bombers in heavy fog or moonless night.

But sometimes things don't work out the way you plan them.

And lately, almost nothing was going my way.

That July morning was no exception.

We'll be right back.

Good job, Kylen.

Get a knife going in an adrenaline stand.

It'll be five minutes before they're done.

How is he?

He's alive, but he's going home.

Let's go.

Good luck. The radar unit is okay, Major.

A big deal. Nobody on the base has had a fly one of these things.

I'm going to do it.

We'll get on the war and call fleet.

Okay. I'm going to take the course on the radio.

Nick, why don't you get this thing mounted on my airplane by 1930?

Oh, well, while I'm at it, why don't I whip you...

Hey, damn it, stop your jaw. Now, you get it mounted by 1930.

That's an order.

You heard him, man. Richards, get out of here and get this thing on a Major's plane.

Move it! Right, sir.

Sir, this just isn't something you can learn by radio.

I didn't ring you up to find out that it

couldn't be done, because I'm going to do it.

Just give me the information.

I can't, Major. The whole thing's visual.

Now, how do I tell you the difference between

a cloud kickback on a scope and a ghost?

How do I explain scope densities? Carefully.

Very carefully.

It's visual, sir!

If I can't show you on a scope I can't show you, it's very sensitive and tricky.

Can I send you another pilot?

I have to be up in that slot by 1930, otherwise Admiral

Halsey's going to be offloading that division by firelight.

All right, listen, Major. I'll cut the orders

and be in here in 20 minutes. I might make it.

You've got to be kidding. You'll never make it.

I'm going to try, sir. Out.

Out.

Things can't be that bad.

Yeah, I saw what you did yesterday. Took that plane off and...

Never mind.

No, go on.

Maybe it's better if you go home, Jet.

To what?

An orphanage?

After all this, I've done all the long division

and Al's bra wanted to do in a lifetime.

Besides, where's the General's daughter get off?

I mean, you got it made, Sam.

Your old man can flatten out all the bumps. You never have to worry about anything.

Except being treated like a woman instead of a General's daughter.

Look, even you're doing it.

I'm sorry, Sam.

I guess there's still a lot I have to learn.

But there's one thing I do know, is that I don't want to go back to where I came from.

Nobody does.

Look, if I told you something that might help you,

will you consider it very carefully before making a decision? Sure.

Well, what could you tell me that could help me?

I mean, Boynton's going to send me packing.

You know that smoking plane that came in this afternoon?

It's a radar ship.

So?

So, the pilot's in the hospital.

I talked to him a while ago, and apparently he's the only

pilot on the base who knows how to read a radar scope.

You told me you trained in radar interceptors, right?

Jeb?

Sam, you're the greatest.

Am I?

What if they kill you?

What am I then, huh?

No matter what happens, Sam, you'll always be my friend.

I wonder.

Get that brace out of there!

That's my finger, Sarge!

Well, get it out of there!

It's going to end up attached to this airplane, Sonny!

All right, move this airfoil to the right.

Hey, you want to put this bubble gum machine on

there where you do it, then I'll go have a beer.

It's not going to work that way, Sergeant.

It ain't going to work that way, Sergeant.

Go get to the rest of the Glee Club,

because I don't know which end this wrench is which.

Well, I have over five hours in radar interceptors

and three hours relating to it in ground school.

To begin with, this cable can't be on the outside of the ship.

Otherwise, it's going to hit the side of the ship and cause a ghost readout.

You guys are really in trouble here.

If you're trying to fight the way the Sergeant has

it set up, you'll end up crashing into a mountain.

Now, you're beginning to rile me, Sonny.

What's wrong with it? Everything.

For instance!

The Sergeant hung the scope upside down.

I ain't ever seen one of these things before.

Ain't nothing that says up or down.

You know, writing on the scope, how are you supposed to tell?

Besides that, unless you've had a lot of instruction on how to read a scope,

you're not going to be able to tell a ricochet kickback from a bogey.

You'd be up there chasing shadows, Major.

You don't believe me? Call Fleet.

Talk to somebody else who's familiar with these things.

I'll tell you. You're in for a real pacing.

I suppose you're telling me that you ought to fly this bird.

No, I don't think your man know I can tell much of anything too, Major.

Ain't that the truth?

I'm just telling you that without instruction in flying a scope,

you're not going to be able to hit the target.

Flip the scope around and run the radar cable up through the engine housing.

Ground the transmitter and make sure that the aileron

controls don't hit the 1600 docking transfer button.

Upside down.

You stood right there and watched me put this thing on.

I didn't hear you complain.

I think I better go get a pair of diagonals.

You think this scope flying is as hard as everyone makes it out to be

or do I have my head on them locked? Yeah, maybe.

How old were you, Andy, when you joined up? Fifteen.

There was this corporal in boot camp that had me pegged.

I used to be the tar at him every day.

Told him he opened his mouth, I'd shut it for him permanent.

So why is it any different for this kid? I don't know.

Maybe because there wasn't a war on then.

Well, if the kid knows how to operate this doohickey,

I'd run his butt up into that cockpit and chain him to it.

Sometimes it isn't easy, Andy.

Let's just hope that lieutenant from the Lexington gets there on time.

Yep.

Hey, I'll say it.

I know Dad spoke to you.

I don't want to know what he said, Greg.

Look, I'm a service rat.

The only guys I've ever dated were in the car.

Either they quaked at the sight of my father, or they tried to lick his boots.

I don't think you're either of those.

At least I hope not.

Nope, but I'm something else.

I'm your father's friend.

That's the problem. I'm gonna have to work out.

Fair enough.

Just do it before the war's over.

And don't you dare get shot down.

Greg, just get me out of the horn.

Coast watchers just logged the Japanese bomber formation heading our way.

That's it. We're taking off in three minutes.

Let's go.

One question. Who's gonna read that scope?

That's not your problem, Don. Your problem is keeping your wing out of my ear.

Major, you sent it for me? Yeah, Pruitt.

Now, this is against my better judgment.

But you're it. You gotta fly my bird.

Now, if you bust it up, I'm gonna hand you your hat.

With your head in it.

We hurled down our runway at 180 feet a second,

and climbed into the night.

Too much introspection ever seems to pay.

Commanding a squadron presents some problems so complex that they defy solutions.

So you stop making decisions with your head, and you do it with your instincts.

But I wasn't very happy with this one.

He was out there, 200 feet in front of me.

If I slid slightly to the starboard,

I could see his profile bathed in light of the radar scope.

He was leading a desperate flight to protect 3,000 Marines,

hundreds of miles to the north, and he was only 16.

I'm picking up moving bogies, sir.

Edge of the grid. 200 feet below us, 20 miles out.

Closing in at 250.

Aren't you guys staying tight?

Now, son, you lead us in.

Lead us in behind them.

Course correction. Standard rate turn of 116 degrees on a count of three.

One, two, three.

Bring airspeed down to 120 knots for 40 seconds.

On my command, standard rate turn to heading 063.

On three.

One, two, three.

We're coming up on them, sir.

We're on their altitude. This should be dead ahead.

Now, let's get them!

Way to go through it!

My money's on you, kid.

You got a home with us, Jeb.

And right there, 200 miles an hour in 8 degrees south latitude

and 158 degrees east longitude, we took him in.

We adopted a little brother.

Neither the Navy nor the Marines would ever take him away.

He was ours. He was the littlest black sheep.