Original subtitles

Dédié au corps des cadets de l'Académie militaire des États-Unis... et en particulier à ceux qui, après avoir fait leurs preuves sur les champs de bataille de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, sont revenus accepter la discipline de West Point afin de se perfectionner dans leur profession et au service de leur pays.

to the bottom of the investigation immediately.

Room 117.

What's the uniform?

Full dress, 50-50.

Better make it on the double.

Thomas, take over for me, will you?

Right.

Mr. Zenmore, Raymond and my junior.

And I'm there to turn a little proctor.

Well, gentlemen, I see you're on time.

Just wait, please.

Thank you.

How do you do, sir?

How do you do, gentlemen?

You remember Mr. Zenmore's son, General?

Yes, I do.

And this is Mr. Proctor.

He's representing Mr. Zenmore.

Mr. Proctor.

Are you, sir?

If you gentlemen are ready to proceed, I don't

know if I missed a tune in the chair of the board.

No way, quite ready.

Then when you sit at the table here, please.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Are you, sir?

Sir, could that gallery force to the superintendent have resorted?

Your place is there.

Mr. Julian, if it's agreeable to you, I believe everyone is ready to proceed.

Our principal witness, Cadet Gilman, is here.

They're using the term witness, we prefer to call him defendant, General.

That is a question for the board to decide.

In any event, he is ready to answer any question to McCadouas.

I think before we attempt to interrogate Cadet Gilman, we should hear the

background of the affair from Mr. Zenmore.

It's an attorney.

Thank you, Mr. Julian.

Very well.

On the service, this matter would appear to insignificant to just via the convening

of a group such as this, a congressional board of investigation under the

distinguished chairmanship of representative Julian.

My client's son, Raymond Deadmore, Jr., is compelled to resign to the United

States military academy for an alleged violation of something with a high-totally

name of the honor code of the Court of Cadets.

He was accused of lying by another member of the academy to that captain,

Rockwell Gilman, an apparently insignificant

matter, important only to Raymond and his family.

An incident.

But we are going to prove that only at West

Point could such a deplorable incident occur.

We believe that the academy is undemocratic

and therefore a misuse of the taxpayer's money.

And we are going to prove this by an investigation of the character of one of

the academy's model Cadets, the same Rockwell Gilman.

We will show that he is the epitome of everything that's

undemocratic about the so -called national institution.

A man whose unsupported testimony caused the dismissal of my client's son.

But he's a bully that he's unreliable, untruthful, and perhaps even criminal.

Gentlemen, we object of these inflammatory remarks.

Cadet Gilman is not on trial.

He was called as a witness in this proceeding.

If council can prove these accusations and link them

with the matter at hand, they're at missable code.

But gentlemen, this is not a doubt, please, darling.

Thank you, Mr. Julian.

And now to provide the background, I should like to call Mr. Denmore and then his son.

Very well.

Mr. Denmore, would you take the witness, Chair, please, and tell us about how you

and Mrs. Denmore began to worry about Raymond.

Thank you.

It was about two months after he'd entered the academy.

Now, Ray is not the kind to complain.

But we could read between the lines of his letters.

Finally, one came that worried us very much.

He sounded depressed to the point of desperation.

So I took a plane and dropped in on the superintendent.

We received all that, Mr. Denmore.

The commandant of the dean had furnished me with your son's records.

He certainly has no academic difficulties.

Oh, he's a bright boy, inherited that from his mother.

There are something else.

I see.

The physical side.

The police are down, Mr. Denmore.

Thank you.

I'm reminded of a gentleman from Virginia who had a similar worry.

Though brilliant academically, this boy never weighed more than 120

pounds while at the academy.

And the physical grind had him down many times.

But he had a set of determined teeth, and he hung on by the skin of them.

His pictures over there.

The dead robbery leak, class of 1829, and the 8th superintendent of this academy.

I wouldn't worry about your son, Mr. Denmore.

It's natural for the cadets to exaggerate the rigor that training the undergoes.

It was a muppin' their own eyes.

But 16,000 graduates have managed to pull through.

It isn't the normal course of training that I have in mind, General.

Is this hazy, this bully bully?

Of course, I know that new students of every college have certain rituals to go

through, following down to the seniors having to paddle applied once in a while.

Went through it once myself.

There is no physical mis-treatment of fourth

class, but if you care to me, Mr. Denmore.

I'm afraid that's not what I heard, General.

Several of his letters Ray inadvertently mentioned the treatment he was receiving.

Can you supply me with a time and place of a particular incident?

Or the names of the cadets involved?

Well, Ray wrote there was one cadet especially.

I suppose he'd be a senior.

First classman, do you know his name?

No, he didn't mention it.

I suppose because he didn't want to, or was afraid to.

But Ray knows the cadet and can give the time and the place.

You made a very serious charge against a cadet at the academy, Mr. Denmore.

I'll have a number of my staff look into it immediately.

This way, Mr. Denmore.

I've discovered this bootle behind his field equipment.

I'll give you the company at past inspection.

Sir, may I make a statement?

You may not.

And get a brace on those shoulders.

That's how his statement is.

Not a statement.

I'll have that.

I'll put it there after inspection, sir.

Doesn't ever belong there, Mr. Denmore.

That's the second time of the week.

I intend to report it.

No report will be necessary.

Will that, Mr. Denmore, repeat his favourite speech?

Well, I had pop-off, Mr. Denmore.

I'm not going to be pushed around by any hero thought the word was point.

My father's just as important as any general in the army.

Ray, who made up that speech?

Please are always given speeches to provide entertainment, Mr. Denmore.

A curious form of entertainment.

Who's responsible?

I am, sir.

I'm responsible for everything that happens in this company.

Then you made up the speech, not the first time, sir.

Ray?

Please aren't allowed to make up anything.

Mr. Denmore, did you or did you not make that

speech up yourself the first week you were here?

No, sir, I didn't.

There will be an official statement unless you wish to change it immediately.

I won't change it.

What difference does it make?

Who thought it out?

This is the honor committee's business, sir.

Your son is lying.

Honor committee?

Cadets are required to report breaches of honor to the honor committee.

I'd like to talk to Raymond alone, Captain.

May I take him outside?

Very well, Mr. Denmore.

Come along, Ray.

At ease, gentlemen.

Ray, I want to know the truth.

Did you make up that speech on your own?

No, Dad, I didn't.

I flew home that night, positive that everything would be all right.

Later in the week, Raymond arrived.

He'd been forced to resign from the academy.

Well, convicted on the unsupported testimony of the men had been persecuted him.

Cadet Gillman.

I would like to give a responsible participant in training to make an

official statement concerning the treatment of new cadets by upperclassmen.

General Prescott, commandant of Cadets.

Gentlemen, under no circumstances, is an upperclassman allowed to strike a plebe.

Our order ended to anything injurious to his health or repugnant to his conscience.

There is no regulation of the academy more strictly enforced.

I don't believe the cadets would be very eager to bring

any infraction of that rule to the general's attention.

Any cadet participating in our witnessing an attempt on the part of an

upperclassmen, the physically mistreat a plebe, is subject to dismissed.

Yes, but there are many kinds of mistreatment general for physical and mental.

Raymond, would you take the stand, please?

Now, suppose you tell us about a few of your encounters with Cadet Gillman,

so that the board may judge whether or not there's any bullying at West Point?

Well, it began the first day we got here.

That was the first Monday in July, and it was a scorcher.

They had unloaded us from the train and made us carry our own bags up the stone

steps, and along their road, so we got to the place where we were to register.

I guess some of the fellows were pretty scared.

They'd all heard about the beast of talent we'd be waiting for us when we got inside

the barracks area, but none of us knew exactly what

the upperclassmen in the detail we're going to do.

We found out soon enough.

It was sort of a five-minute preview of what we could expect for the next year.

There were a lot of us, but they arranged

things that we all got individual attention.

We do!

Help!

All men inside of the first company fall out here.

We're hurt!

Got a bag.

Got it.

Stand on, Mr. What's your name?

Right, Denmark.

No, it's not.

Look at that, Denmark.

You understand?

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Now what's your name?

You could attend more.

Look at that, Denmark, sir.

You could attend more, sir.

Pop through, Mr. Mollie.

Move your chin in.

Suck up your stomach.

Pop out your chest.

Make your shoulders retreat.

Move your chest way up in there.

Take a deep breath in.

I get that chest up in there.

Suck up that stomach, Mr. Suck up that stomach.

You hear me talking to you?

Yes, sir.

Well, I'm not talking to my health.

Now you pop that chest up when I speak you function.

You'll salute all up for class when you see you.

You refer to them, sir.

You understand?

Yes, sir.

Mr. Michaels, you've joined the best couple in the court.

You know who's going to make it that way?

Yes, sir.

You all, that's right.

Now roll out that sway.

Suck up your stomach.

Now reach for the sky while you top your head.

I pop your chest way up in there, Mr. Let's make something out of that kidney chest.

Move it up there.

Love you, Ty.

Hold on your sleeves.

Salute all members of the detail.

You recognize them for the white gloves.

Yes, sir.

Give them that double to this area at all times.

You expect me to remember all of this?

You didn't ever mention that.

You're a question, Mr. Unless you're part of the first sergeant.

Sir, you get that demo reports to the first

sergeant of the first company, as all people.

Very well.

You're part of the first sergeant.

You're part of the first sergeant.

The first sergeant was in trouble as later, but he got me again.

You may have hope.

Take care of this, please.

Would you tell me to keep on the double to this area?

Yeah, I guess I was.

You don't guess you, the knower you believe.

It's yes or not, sir.

Yes, sir.

Let's look when you're spoken to.

Yes, sir.

Hope that's yes.

Moving that chin.

You're happy to keep on the double as you're told.

Yes, sir.

Where are you going?

So, the post office, sir.

Now, you're not going to the barber subject to haircut.

Yes, sir.

On the double.

Yes, sir.

I want to take it easy, will you?

That first day seemed to set the pattern.

Every time I bumped into him, he found something wrong.

Like the day we had our first class in the box.

Time.

Now we'll try the left chair, gentlemen.

Speak like this.

Chin tucked under shoulder.

God here.

Left chair only.

No slugging.

Ready?

Time.

What'd you tell the left chair only, Mr.?

I guess I forgot.

Someday you're going to forget and get hurt.

Leading with that phony high school right cross of yours.

Don't you believe in my right cross, sir?

No, I don't.

Let me sit.

I still don't believe it.

And then there was a time my girl came up from New York.

She'd never visited the point, and I wanted to show her everything she'd

heard about, including the famous flirtation walk.

Mr. Denmark.

Excuse me.

Sir?

Don't you know the flirtation walk is off, limits to fourth class.

Yes, sir.

Report to me at first call for supper.

Yes, sir.

But I guess the worst trouble I had with him was on the firing range.

Our whole group had been turned out for rifle instruction.

Most of us had never fired a rifle before.

Hey, fine!

Are you crazy?

Could be a court martial offense pointing a load of weapons of brains like that.

One stubby might kill somebody, would you like that dumb John?

No, sir?

We'll get back in a firing position.

Of course he jumped me other times.

Lots of times.

But I guess that'll give you the general idea.

How about the speech, Raymond?

Well, there was no regulation on you about against a man mentioning his father.

Anyway, all I said was that he'd done a right where we'd come from.

I guess Gilman must have heard about it.

I made up the speech for you, eh?

Yes, sir.

It is not true.

Your turn will come, Mr. Gilman.

You see, gentlemen, could that Gilman's word was accepted without question?

At a session close to Raymond, the honor committee determined that he was to resign.

You must realize by now that the so-called honor committee was merely a secret group

designed to perpetuate the autocratic army system.

We propose to show you how false and unfair that system

can be by examining the character of the man's championing.

A man who came to the academy while this country was so fighting in Japan.

Mr. Chairman, this attack on the academy, and on the

character of Cadet Gilman is completely unexpected.

We request that German until tomorrow.

I think that's fair enough.

We will convene here tomorrow at night.

In just a moment, please.

We are making very serious charges against Cadet Gilman.

What guarantee have we that he'll be here tomorrow?

I'll be here, sir.

Shouldn't Cadet Gilman be placed on the guard.

He has given his word.

I'm sorry, I should like something a little more positive than that.

That is our concern, Mr. Proctor, not yours.

However, we would like to ensure Cadet Gilman's appearance tomorrow, General.

Very well.

Cadet Gilman, you are here if I can find a barracks after eating meal formation.

And you will discuss this matter with no one.

Yes, sir.

The hearing has now adjourned.

I was about to give you up.

I've got something to tell you that you're not going to like.

I've got a breakout date tonight.

Why?

I can't explain.

Rocky, there must be some reason.

Oh, I just can't be with you tonight.

And I can't tell you about it.

That's twenty-four first-classmen.

I've elected each year by the entire court to serve in the honor committee.

The hearings are not open to the public, but they are not secret.

For instance, Ex Cadet Denmore was invited to testify, but he refused.

This true ring.

You see, I didn't understand what they wanted.

I thought it was some sort of hazing of a class

whenever invite leaves to join them unless it is.

I think you will agree, gentlemen.

But a body of men, elected by the vote of the court, offering fair hearings on all

cases, is the essence of democracy, and in full accord with the American tradition.

We believe that West Point represents one of

the true strongholds of the Democratic system.

Providing he meets the mental, physical, and moral requirements.

Any American, regardless of race, creed, or color, is eligible for appointment.

Louis' grant was a son of a harness maker.

Eisenhower, a Kansas farm boy.

A car that's father was a professional soldier.

After Spartan initial training, well, it has

been accustomed to the academy for years.

Since all incoming candidates do not necessarily meet the required physical

condition, some method had to be advised to weed out the unfit.

We maintain a very high-scholastic standard, but in an army, there are other

things as important as the intellect, courage, obedience, steadfastness.

And the time to test these qualities, gentlemen, is before and not during a war.

I believe this expresses the academy point of view.

Thank you, General.

But a point raised by Mr. Proctor was that young

Denmore received especially unfair treatment.

We are prepared to answer that point.

Can I start it?

We would like to introduce Cadet Laughlin, a first-classman,

as a witness to Cadet Gilman's experiences when he was a fleet.

A mission granted, Colonel.

Mr. Laughlin, take the stand.

Laughlin was originally a year ahead of Gilman, but certain

difficulties with mathematics turned him back to class.

Mr. Laughlin, you saw a good deal of what Cadet Gilman went through as a fleet,

didn't you?

Yes, sir.

Of course, I was away at Camp Buckner that summer.

But I know you received the standard treatment from the Beast detail,

and I saw a lot of what he took after that.

By lucky break, we were seated at the same table in the mess hall.

The mess hall is kind of a big place.

Thirty minutes, we feed over 2,000 cadets.

So you concentrate on the minute your own table, especially the three plebs.

The gunner who serves the rations and the coffee carpool who tends to the hot drinks.

The water carpool who handles the cold drinks.

The plebs can't speak unless spoken to, so you've got a good idea of what he can take.

It's the duty of the table commandant who sits at the head of the table and the

other upperclassmen, to ensure that plebs observe good table manners.

The beginning of each meal of plebs is required

to sit erect and watch his conduct very carefully.

Before the food served, he's sometimes required to go through a certain ritual

involving the answering of standard questions, put to him by the upperclassmen.

First, I was afraid that yeoman might object to some of the customs.

I needn't have worried.

Sir, the call of average is disabled or water lemonade.

Is there anyone who doesn't care for lemonade?

Send me water, first, Mr. Dumpchak.

Water, Mr. Loveser.

What do you think this is?

What do you think this is, a tea party?

Lebs all set up.

You've been dead beating at this table long enough.

Now put out my courtclassmen's shirt.

Set up, Mrs. Look at act like plebs.

All of you.

Move your shoulders back.

Sit tall.

Now, Mr. Gullen, let's have the days.

Sir, today is Tuesday, September 22nd.

There's a hop Saturday night for the first second class of column hall.

Third class is south gymnasium.

There's a football game this weekend with Columbia University at Mikey Stadium.

There are 91 days left, you'll personally.

That'll do, Mr. Thank you.

I'll ever make a soldier, Mr. Dookrell.

No, please, sir.

Form an opinion, Mr. Dookrell.

Sir, in the bonus of time, a little bit of evidence of providence miracles may occur.

Fuck, you not only had more experience than any other classmen at the point,

you had something else to cope with.

Something pretty tough.

Mr., don't you know you should come to attention

clear the way and brace when upperclassmen pass?

Yes, sir.

And why are you standing in properly?

No, excuse me.

Let's see the proper posture.

Head high, shoulder splat.

Both shoulders, Mr. That's better.

Now, expect that position.

Hold it, Johnson.

You can relax, Mr. Hey, what goes on?

Your special pet of yours, your son or something?

I said you can relax.

Now, just a minute.

If there's been a special order making a privileged character out of Mr.

Dungflecker here, nobody's passed me the word.

Look, from 42, we were together and...

Well, I make myself responsible for his continued proper conduct from my own reasons.

Well, it's better not be here as a good -looking sister.

I told you you could relax.

Rocky, relax.

I sure you caught North Africa.

I'm Doug alright.

Are you crazy?

You want to wreck yourself for good?

No, stay with us, sir.

I'll knock it off, Lieutenant.

Don't go around bracing all over the place if it's going to hurt.

The way I say it's like disobeying an order.

You've got to learn what not to obey.

I've learned that all right.

Well, anyway, you pull that shoulder apart and you'll be dismissed for disability.

Sir, may I ask a question?

Don't be stupid.

Who did you hide to last year?

My guess is, cadet yeoman took as much or more than

99% of the men who have gone through the academy.

But he never went for it once.

Or she didn't have a rich father in right home to.

Mr. Chairman, I have Jack.

This is not a call of law, Mr. Proctor.

In the last four years, we've had a number of veterans in the plea classes,

including one major, seven captains, over 100 to 10.

But we've made no concessions.

Now, even to those who would decorate if

conspicuous bravery, as was cadet Captain Gilman.

Well, we have met interested in Mr. Gilman's war record.

Perhaps he'd like to tell us something about it.

If you want me to, sir.

Mr. Laughlin, you're excused, Mr. Gilman.

You would like to hear about every detail.

But I warn you, we know good deal about your

history, so I advise you not to distort anything.

I don't intend, sir.

Suppose we started the beginning.

You were drafted, won't you?

Yes, sir, I was drafted.

But I never thought it was a minute to be ashamed of.

You see, it happened to quite a lot of us.

All of me, I wasn't very happy about it.

You see, I had a job, and there was a future in it.

And I had a girl, and Christmas was coming on.

Christmas of 1941.

And I had a pretty good idea I wasn't going to like the army.

Look, to this bunch, a draft board must be scraping the bottom of the barrel.

Follow me to two columns, Sergeant President.

All right, fellas.

Follow me over here.

Get back here in order, soldier.

Yeah, let me give you a hand.

Who told you to butt in?

No law against helping someone even in the South, but isn't it?

Oh, so you're going to try and run the army now, huh?

Oh, look at it.

I'd like to speak to you in the orderly room.

Yes, sir.

Sergeant, take charge of these men.

My name's Woffman.

What's yours?

Dr. Gomez.

Thanks, Roger.

Don't care if I wasn't for the little lieutenant.

Be in the guardhouse, Mack.

Come on, fellas.

Go over here with the other.

The next couple of weeks didn't change my opinion.

The lieutenant Daniels, the one who chewed

out the shave tails, seemed to be a good Joe.

Even if he was a West pointer, then something happened that gave me a

different slant.

Lieutenant Daniels had just been reading us the articles of war.

Any person subject to military law, who, in any pretense whatsoever,

strikes his superior officer or draws or lifts up any weapon or offers,

any violence against him, being in the execution of his office, or willfully

disobeys any lawful command of his superior officer, shall suffer death,

or such other punishment as a court, might shall may direct.

Any questions, Ben?

Lieutenant, does that mean we have to obey every order of an officer?

That's the way it reads, as long as it's a lawful order.

Even when you know that officer is incompetent or inexperienced.

Human, if you don't like the quality of the

army's officers, that's your responsibility.

Why is it my responsibility?

You can apply for officers' candidate school and improve it.

No thanks, Lieutenant, this is your army.

Carry.

Men?

Where'd war?

The Japanese of Bon Pro Harbor.

We name it in your quarters and do a further audience.

Brown?

I'm going to report to the agent's office, Lieutenant.

Yes, kill me.

How does one go about applying for officers' candidate school?

The next three months were a scramble for a guy who had breezes

through high school because things and books came easy to him.

But who couldn't get it into his head that an order wasn't

a term, those army guys used when they wanted to kill him.

I didn't think I was going to make it, but I finally did.

Senator Kilman.

I mean, Captain Daniels, Kilman, it's good to see you.

You're the one that requested me.

I figured since I was responsible in sending you,

at least I could do was ask for a mind lieutenant.

Good to ask for a better break.

Thanks a lot.

Forget it.

You may change your mind when you learn where we're going.

Where's that?

You can see sick.

I don't know, sir.

You will.

Sergeant.

Eddie.

Rocky.

Excuse me, sir.

Look at the rank on it, Captain.

We've had a look here on you.

We're strung along the pier, sir.

We're the best of the regiment now.

We are Eddie.

We are Rocky.

I was see sick, all right.

Halfway to England and on the next leg.

Go on.

We went in to act against Ronald's army at four o'clock one morning.

On a ridge just outside of Tunis.

Please continue, Mr. Gillan.

The laughter for what few of us were left.

We're on our way to a field hospital.

Can I tell us a little more about the engagement?

No, I wouldn't.

I thought you wouldn't.

How long are you in the hospital?

On and off for about two years they let me go in March of 1945.

He said spring was just around the corner.

I guess peace was too.

The B-29 has just made a shambles of a good part of Tokyo.

The Germans were backing up towards Berlin, and there were rumors that the

Swiss have been asked to negotiate a surrender.

This one's for the return of your personal property.

We've got discharge emblems, sir.

Honorable, this charge, it says here.

Good luck to you, Lieutenant.

Thanks, Dr..

Thanks for everything.

Lieutenant, you forgot the most important thing.

to think of the service car.

No, I didn't forget it.

Give it for a souvenir.

They don't care who they hand those things out to.

I'll be enough, Craig.

I'll take a nurse.

I fooled around New York a couple of days before I went home.

I had a funny kind of dread that things wouldn't be the same.

Or maybe I was afraid they would be.

That I'd changed.

The old neighborhood is a little dirty than I'd remembered.

A pops place looks smaller.

But I suddenly had a warm feeling inside.

So, I say we get the picture and we get the penance.

What about a white space?

Who's going to play today?

Who you got for a late picture?

Kelly.

What?

Hello, Jeff.

Hello, Monica.

We thought you was dead or on the lamb or something.

First, we hear you were in the hospital.

They got tired of your body.

Give me the old evil.

Well, this calls for a celebration.

Give me a drink.

Will you?

Well, they'll be rocky.

I don't think Jim, you know that.

Hey, where's Cara?

Cara?

Mm-hmm.

Can you surround him?

Yeah, funny, no.

How does it happen to him, though?

Well, it's just the day.

Just what?

Whoa.

Look, Grocky.

Cara didn't know what.

Hello, Rocky.

Hello, Cara.

When did you get back?

Pretty as usual.

Why didn't you write?

I did.

You didn't answer, Cara.

I didn't get him.

Not at one, on it.

Forget it.

By the way, Barney, congratulations.

You told him?

No, I didn't.

You two should have told me how to set your wedding present.

A nice, brand new hand grenade.

What a nerve.

Are you going to let him come on?

Come on, let's get out of here.

Come on.

Hello, Rocky.

Hello, Pop.

I've been expecting you.

I've been expecting you for a couple of days.

Well, let's you know.

The doubt did.

Pop white, throat me a letter.

Pop white.

Nothing much.

He sent me this too.

The distinguished service cross.

He said he didn't seem to want it.

That's right.

Mind telling me why?

Maybe sometime.

I never thought I could get a bang out of being next to Kim.

The distinguished service cross.

The kid that took out of St. Vincent 16 years ago.

I never told you, Pop, but I adopted you.

Whoever did the adopting made no mistake.

Now, what are your plans?

I haven't had it.

You were kind of bright in school.

You were good at the stuff that comes out of books.

You didn't go to work at it.

So what?

So you put what you're good at, together, and you want to go to college.

Pop, do you know the difference between clinical calculus and differential calculus?

Which word did they vote it?

I know the difference.

Suppose it's come in handy sometime.

All right, all right.

No college.

But the doc says you ought to find something to keep your mind off this.

How about a job?

Maybe you're right.

With me?

Like it was?

No, Pop.

Oh, well, there are many other places a guy can work.

Let's see what we can do.

He landed beer job all right, five of them all together.

In a bank, a couple of department stores with a telephone company.

And finally in the accounting department of a mail order house.

Trouble, Mr. Gilbert?

Yeah, a little.

I wouldn't bother about it.

It takes time to get the routine.

But I've already been here two weeks.

Well, we're not worried.

We know how difficult it is for you soldiers to read just.

I want to tell you a little scene.

I said that that does 35 years ago.

Same desk, same window.

And I had trouble too.

I never dreamed that I'd be manager of the book, keeping department some day.

And in six months, I'm going to retire.

Painted every month for the valence of my life.

What do you think of that?

Congratulations.

Oh, you'll get to like it.

This desk.

And even that wall.

They painted gray every three years.

At first, I used to hope they picked some other color.

White or yellow.

But it was always gray.

After a while, I wouldn't have wondered any other color.

It was better for my travels.

This company sent you off and they didn't have to.

There are those who just see the bricks in that wall.

There are 2,264 in case you're thinking of counting them.

But I see what there is to see.

Well, it's tear garden in the spring.

But for Nick, you'll let car carry me up to the widespread tops of the Alps.

Paris were the steep routes.

Sometimes on fine days, the builds of Africa.

Never get so you want to count the bricks in that wall, Mr. Gilman.

See what there is to see.

It's magnificent.

It was wrong about the views in that world.

I couldn't see Switzerland or Paris.

And I'd already seen Africa.

But he was right about the number of bricks 2,264.

I counted them.

And then walked out.

By then, I was probably the most completely unreadjusted soldier in New York.

Rocky.

Yeah, Jim.

You needed a drink.

Now, thanks for doing it for me.

Perhaps you've been looking for you.

He said for you to come up to his office.

What's the code for you?

Tell me the thanks.

Tell me some other time I'm busy.

I guess the real blow-off came on being night.

A cubby hole-eyed, rented in a fire trap over on Broadway.

Racket outside was driving me half crazy.

And I decided to get some food set up to the room.

I'll be right with you, Mr. Morai's way.

Come

in.

See?

I told you.

Isn't he pretty?

He liked the time.

Have another point.

Come on down the hall, bud.

We just started this celebration.

We're short of men.

No thanks.

No, Mr. Don't be like that.

Come on, be polite.

I said no thanks.

What's the matter, bud?

You, German.

Of course, he's not a German.

He's coming with us.

I said no.

I know.

If he ain't a German, he's a 4F and a 4F and I have a soul.

I'll get him out of here.

I told you, I didn't like you, type.

Fine.

Sing off for a summer drink.

Laura, eat them and pop.

Long as there's been going on.

I've long enough to keep away from these wicked celebrations.

They're all right.

They're having a good time.

A good time paid for by guys like Harry Daniels.

You're Captain.

You want to tell me about it?

In the doctor.

He said you'd do the toffee.

There's a time when every man's life when he has to get something off his chest.

Bottling it up is no good.

It just ferments until it busts like now.

Could be.

If you don't want to tell me about somebody else, I'll let it out.

Not him.

But somebody.

Somebody.

There's somebody.

Somebody you can find in the phone book?

It's Harry Daniels.

It's me 31, he's 61st.

See you later, Paul.

I went to see Mr. Daniels.

Then a few weeks later, Mr. Dwayne got me an appointment to West Point.

Would you care to reveal to us what you had to tell Mrs. Harry Daniels?

That was and still is a personal matter, sir.

Have this personal matter anything to do with your entering West Point?

In a way, yes.

Is that all you've got to tell her?

Yes, sir.

You realize your testimony leaves us with the assumption that you entered West Point

merely because you were depressed and settled.

A victim of, believe they call it combat fatigue.

This assumption is entirely yours, sir.

You may step down.

Gentlemen, you heard good at Captain Goldman's testimony.

I shall now prove that this is a paragon of West Point.

He's lacking in all essentials of responsibility.

He's unfit to take his place among normal, decent men.

Now, Mr. Craig, will you take the stand, please?

I should like to introduce Mr. John Craig.

Mr. Craig was medical court attendant at Walterie General Hospital.

Washington, D.C.

during 44 and 45.

Mr. Craig, did your duties involve attending on the then lieutenant Rockwell Gillman?

Yes, sir.

You don't get your choice of who you take care of.

He was in a four-bed ward.

The other occupants of the ward caused me no trouble.

He had nightmares.

I say he deserved them.

He didn't.

Ordinarily I could check him awake, but one

night I couldn't seem to make any headway.

No.

Come on.

Come on.

You out of me, Father.

Let's have a little quiet around me.

What's that matter?

Is that it again?

No.

Very good.

Is that an easy little sentence?

Three minutes.

Water.

You don't get him quiet now?

Actually, the sentence.

Water.

Have him in the treatment room tomorrow morning at 10.

I have to go through all this.

You're going to feel a lot better if you can talk.

And this is going to help you talk.

I don't want to talk.

You're going to be a little drowsy.

You will remain conscious.

I don't want you to be afraid of anything.

Just relax.

I'll plant your fist in tenor.

Now, Lieutenant, start counting backwards from a hundred.

You start counting backwards from a hundred.

One hundred.

Ninety-nine.

Ninety-eight.

Ninety-nine.

Ninety -eight.

Ninety -nine.

Ninety-eight.

Ninety-five.

Keep it up, Ninety-five.

Ninety-four.

Ninety-five.

Ninety-four.

That's fine.

Now we can begin our talk.

You're going to remember everything just as you saw it.

Every detail is clear as you can recall it.

Just as you saw it.

No.

How relaxed.

Don't fight it.

You're going to remember everything just as you saw it.

It was something that happened in combat, wasn't it?

You were being fired at.

Yes, that's it.

We were under fire.

We were on a hill.

It wasn't really a hill, though.

It's just a ridge.

There were millions of those ridges in Africa.

And you were being shot at.

Shot at.

From an olive grove.

Take kept spitting fire at us every few minutes.

Go on.

We were holding the ridge.

We?

Our company was left of it.

Were you in command?

No.

Who was?

Who was in command?

He was.

Who was he?

Say his name.

You know it.

Very.

His full name.

Captain Harry Daniels.

You didn't like him, did you?

Yes, I did.

Then he was your friend.

He was my friend.

Now let's talk about the tank.

You feel like talking.

Now don't you?

I suppose so.

What did you do about the tank?

Harry.

Harry took some men.

Went down the right, right, and leaned.

I... Go ahead.

You're seeing it again?

Just as it was.

What did you do?

I took the rest.

Went down the left.

He ordered me.

He ordered me to... He ordered you to do what?

What happened at 415?

He made a racket.

And like the tanks.

You were to attack, rush the tank.

But I didn't.

Why didn't you rush the tank?

I don't know.

Yes, you do.

I don't know.

Yes, you do.

I don't think.

When you, if you didn't, it would keep firing

on Captain Daniels to let knock him out.

You knew that, didn't you?

Yes.

There must have been a good reason why you didn't obey.

Try and remember.

There was no reason.

Perhaps you saw another tank you hadn't seen before.

Or you saw there was a better way to go after it.

No.

But you did go after it.

I turned yellow.

The tank must have seen us.

Started firing at it.

I turned yellow.

You got the tank.

Remember?

You knocked it out personally with a bazooker.

I disobeyed him when I came out.

I came out how he was gone.

I killed him.

I murdered my best friend.

Easy.

Easy lieutenant.

I disobeyed.

I killed him.

They don't give the DSC to murder his lieutenant.

Well, there must be something.

Some reason why you didn't come out.

I think.

I disobeyed.

I killed him.

All right.

I think that'll be enough for today.

The next day, they moved him to a private room.

I didn't see him again until he was discharged.

Which was all right by me.

Thank you, Mr. Craig.

There, gentlemen.

You have the Academy's model cadet.

The man was word this institution accepts about that of my client's son.

The man was criminal disobedience resulted in murder.

You wish to amplify Mr. Craig's testimony?

No, sir.

Syrian members of the board.

I think we've proved unquestioned our case against the Academy.

And this Martinette will walk.

Just a moment, Mr. Proctor.

Mr. Gilman, do you realize these charges, if it's substantiated, are very serious?

Yes, sir.

And you will make no statement?

No, sir.

Gentlemen, I think this young man should be given a few hours to reconsider.

There may be mitigating factors.

We will reconvene at nine o'clock tomorrow morning.

Rock, he saves my shower until I'm here to drown.

Maybe he can wash off some of the mud I heard this long at him today.

What's the latest brand?

I don't know.

I'm not due to be called back until tomorrow.

And Rock, he's dumb enough.

Order.

I know Rock, he can let them all stick.

Special delivery for Gilman.

Taking a shower outside for him.

Good night.

No perfume, but it's from the one and only.

There's no such animal as the one and only.

How would you know?

The number of dear John letters, the guys get each week.

He's 500.

Your own statistics.

Turn it 12 anyway.

Dear John.

Although in that dull and grace suit, y'all

will remain the cutest trick I've ever seen.

I feel I must tell you the reason I'm returning your precious old ring isn't

because Mr. Michael or his father owns a diamond factory.

Because Mr. Michael are going to vote more than

three times a year to see him little old me.

Think of little old me as your sister always.

You're ever loving friends, Susie Berry.

Yes, little old me just found out for the second lieutenant's base pay is.

That's old brother.

That's no due John letter.

Not for man Daniels.

Special for you, Rock.

Thanks.

You almost didn't make it.

Yeah, perhaps due to go any minute.

Anything wrong, Rockie?

Something happened.

This test.

Anything I can do?

I know.

I agree.

I know.

I know.

I know.

All right, for room's way through.

Rockie report.

All right, sir.

Come on.

Come on, you've got to ask me.

Oh, yes.

Five after two.

Rockie's going to love me.

I sure that's him.

I'm certainly him.

Gentlemen, the board is now in session.

I see that this gillman is not here.

Mr. Judge, we have someone looking for it.

I wouldn't bother General.

I understand that Mr. Gillman has left the academy.

I believe, permanent.

Well, that's impossible.

It would have been reported.

I assure you it was in New York last evening at a certain young lady's apartment.

Gentlemen, that closes our case.

I move that you recommend the reinstatement of Mr. Denmark's son and the

immediate overhaul of the academy's administration.

Just a minute, Mr. Proctor.

Sorry to be late, sir.

But I'll hear your explanation later.

Take your place.

Yes, sir.

I can give you the explanation.

He's pertinent to this investigation.

Mr. Gillman, I'm amazed that you should have it a minute.

Mr. Proctor, the witness has appeared voluntarily.

Mr. Gillman, you have decided to make a statement?

Yes, sir.

Mr. Chairman, I object.

This man has proved his unreliability by leaving the academy without permission.

Whatever he says is bound to be suspect.

Every last we will hear him, Mr. Proctor.

What if you just say about Mr. Craig's story?

It's too, sir.

It's exactly as he said.

You are admitting your disobedience caused the death of Captain Daniels?

Yes, sir.

Mr. Gillman, you certainly have your moments of honesty.

Why aren't your present mood?

Why didn't you tell us why you would have something to the academy last night?

No, sir.

Why not?

It's still a personal matter, sir.

General, is this commanding office I suggest that you order him to testify?

Just a moment, please.

My name's doing.

Mr. Gillman's guardian?

Yes, sir.

I'd like to say a word for Rocky if it ain't out of order.

That's not a bit out of order.

Pop your status.

No, I won't.

Mr. Dewing, you may take the chair.

I'll stand if you don't mind.

You see, I'm kind of angry.

It seems to me this has been a very one -sided deal with nobody at all playing on

Rocky's team.

We've given him every opportunity to make a defense, Mr. Dewing.

Yeah, sure.

Rocky's too proud to call for help.

Well, he's going to get it whether he wants it or not.

I've got two witnesses who'll be here any

minute now, and another one right in the room.

The young woman here.

Please, Colonel, start it.

Don't bring her into the room.

Well, the couple, we wonder, bro, into this gentleman.

I'd like to introduce the lady, Mr. Gillman, when to see last night, Mrs.

Harry Daniels, the widow of the man who's death is responsible for.

He isn't responsible for anybody's death.

I know, Mr. Gillman, too well to believe anything like that.

I've known him for three years.

Mrs. Daniels may ask you, did you know him before your husband?

I don't do Mr. Proctor.

If you'll just let me tell you about him.

How we first met.

How and why he came to the point.

How he's done everything in his power to make a perfect officer out of himself.

I think you'll see if you can't do that.

But we know enough already about Mr. Gillman's character.

I suggest that the young lady can find a testimony

to the meeting with Cadet Gillman last night.

As Mr. Gillman has repeatedly emphasized, this is not a court of law, Mr. Proctor.

If it meets with the approval of the board, I think Mrs. Daniels should be

permitted to tell us anything she cares to.

I agree with your call.

Thank you, sir.

Be seated, Mr. Gillman.

Mrs. Daniels, will you sit here, please?

Please proceed, Mrs. Daniels.

I first met Mr. Gillman on V.E.

night.

The streets were crowded with people celebrating.

But I didn't go out of my apartment.

I understood how they felt.

And couldn't blame them for wanting to celebrate.

They were happy and relieved that half the war was won.

To me, the war had ended long ago on a hill in Tunisia.

Yes.

I... I'm not given Mr. Daniels.

Where's Mrs. Daniels?

Mrs. Daniels' son was Captain Daniels.

Does he live here?

Yes, she does.

And so why?

I'm his wife.

Looks exactly like your pictures.

Where did you see my picture?

In Africa.

You were in Africa.

Please come in.

Won't you sit down?

No, thanks.

What's your name?

You never heard of me.

It's Rocky Gilman.

Never heard of you.

Why, Harry's letters were filled with stories about you.

He said you were the most valuable officer he had.

The funnel is about to be home.

Not for a while yet.

But you'll have to do it.

To do part.

Help me celebrate P.D.

Help me wind up some unfinished business.

I don't understand.

This is Daniel.

Do you think your husband was killed by the Germans, don't you?

Well, he was.

And I killed him.

It's about a direct order.

When I got around, I should have been it.

It was too late.

It's dead.

Why don't you say something?

I can take it.

That's what I came up here for.

Here, someone say the things I've been saying to myself.

Bring it out in the open.

This is Daniel's.

Maybe he did not understand me.

I just said I killed your husband.

They've got words from people like me.

Maybe at any time in the dictionary.

But you'll find them.

If you can, maybe his mother can.

When she does, I'll be in pop-doings place.

Pops place in Brooklyn.

They were still already the E.D.

I don't know what made me go.

My heartache almost is a dead-to-date water-partment telegram game.

But I knew Rocky needed comforting even more than I did.

Would I speak to you, please?

I've been waiting.

Harry did.

Well, excuse me.

I might've glad to meet you.

Daniel, won't you sit down?

I hope you'll excuse me.

I have to run an errand.

I'll see you later, Mr. Daniel.

Mr. Pontiac's an errand.

May I say something?

Sure, go ahead.

Even if you did it so bad.

If you didn't mean to.

It was a mistake, wasn't it?

You don't make mistakes in the army.

People make mistakes everywhere that's part of being human.

You mustn't blame yourself too much.

I don't get it.

Didn't you love Harry?

I loved him very much.

Why are you concerning yourself above me?

Hey, you're Rocky.

Laura's over, mother.

Why don't you and the lady have a drink with us, huh?

Well, thanks.

Maybe this is the reason you wrote so little.

We just met tonight.

Why don't you and Ronnie run along?

Well, if that's the way you feel.

Yeah, it's the way you feel.

We'll see.

Why don't we go outside?

I don't get it.

No matter what people, millions of men died for this day.

They're just relieved that it's over.

I don't get the dancing on coffins.

I don't get your kind wording me.

There's a matter with everybody.

Perhaps I can show you.

But not here.

I think he understood without my saying anything that he wasn't alone.

But all over the world, there were people who knew the pain and cost of victory.

Well, that's all.

Like some coffee?

No, I think I'll be running home.

Good night.

Thanks for the slam.

What is he thinking about?

I hope you will.

Good night.

Good night.

I didn't sleep that night.

I couldn't.

Memories of Harry tumbled through my head like leaves in a windstorm.

And in the lows, I thought of Rocky.

Tortured by it.

A guilt complex that was on the verge of unsettling his mind.

It was almost dawn when I realized what I had to do.

Realized that my obligation was not only toward the dead, but toward the living too.

Two days later, with some help from Mr. Dewing, I found Rocky again.

He was living like a hermit in a little hotel room.

He wouldn't go out that day.

And in the first week, I took enough rebuts to alienate almost anybody.

But by that time, I wasn't almost anybody.

I was someone with a purpose in life.

We had lunches and walks on the battery and early movies.

And finally, he came to the apartment for dinner.

At last, he got up nerve enough to meet Harry's mother.

And he liked her.

And he began to talk about finding a job.

And then one day, mother and I received invitations to attend a ceremony.

It was a very special kind of ceremony.

And I thought it might complete the cure if Rocky attended two.

In accordance with a custom established nearly a hundred years ago, this plaque

has been presented to the Academy by Captain Daniel's classmates.

Jap and York.

Would you say a few words?

This plaque is dedicated to the memory of an

academy graduate who gave his life for his country.

But like the other plaques that adorned these walls,

it is far more than a memorial to an individual.

It is a memorial to a trying yet glorious page of American history.

I see as I look around other pages commemorated, San Juan Hill, Bello Wood,

Chateau Tieri, Pearl Harbor, Grigador, a distinguished company.

But above all, I see commemorated here, the spirits of the men who did not

hesitate to make sacrifices when they were needed, the American spirit.

What's the matter, Rocky?

When do we start back?

The general wants to have lunch first.

Some other time.

Why did you include me in this?

You were one of his friends.

I'm sorry if being here is upset you.

I guess it's just being around the army again.

Well, enough of it.

Uniform saluting.

This place filled with toy soldiers.

Red's kid sneaking in on a political pole, sponging off the taxpayers.

Rocky!

Eddie, what a surprise.

You're looking great.

Oh, I had a Sergeant Martha.

He used to be sorry.

How did he do?

He was in an outfit too.

That's right.

Oh, Eddie.

Ann was Harry Daniels.

Why?

I wasn't the captain's company.

Well, we all thought he was tough.

Thank you.

Say, what's a guy like you doing in this place?

I thought you were tired of the army.

Getting an education.

But you can get that 100 other places and much better.

Not an education like this, Rocky.

Look, I saw and sorted you what happens to countries in second-best armies.

So I found out they were taking in a group of enlisted men each year.

I boned up on the exams.

Oh, there goes that trumpet again.

Still often?

Yes.

Don't you have a formation before noon, Neil?

Yes, sir.

I'm sorry I have to go.

Let me know where I can get in touch with you, Rocky.

Sure, Eddie.

Goodbye, Miss Henry.

Goodbye.

Rich kids with political pull.

I'm going out for a while.

But I know Rocky is coming home.

He is.

Would you tell him that I had a date?

Or...

You don't have to tell him who is?

Just that I don't want to see him.

What one?

I just don't.

Oh, you've had a quarrel.

No, we haven't quarrel.

And...

And... Oh, no.

And all the time somebody was bound to come home.

I'll miss you.

But I'm very happy for you.

But I can't.

Of course you can.

If I can't pull him up again, I haven't the right to him.

Oh, darling, is that what you've been thinking?

Let me show you something.

I suppose I should have read this to you sooner.

But while I carry, I wanted to wait for the proper time.

This was his last letter.

I'll read the part about you.

And now, Mother, I want to say something very serious.

Things happen first here, and you never know.

If I'm unlucky, I want you to give Adam a message for me.

Not right away, but when the time comes, I don't want her to warn me too long.

She's too young to spend the rest of her life living with a memory.

I wanted to have a normal life.

To have a husband and a home, and, well, darling, that's about all.

And you must believe that Harry meant everywhere.

That's probably Rocky now.

Hello.

Hello, Rocky.

Why don't you come in?

Sure.

I can't stay very long.

Why not?

Oh, I've got things to do.

Well, I must stand.

Hello, Rocky.

I've got news for both of you.

You found a job.

Well, maybe you'll call it a job.

It only pays a couple of bucks a day, and keep.

Where did you find a job like that?

At West Point.

Where's Point?

Yes, Pop's getting an appointment through one of his congressman friends.

Of course I'll have to do a lot of study.

Rocky, you're not serious.

What's the matter with West Point?

Nothing except... I didn't think you liked the army.

That trip you took me on started me doing a lot of thinking.

Oh, Rocky, we're both so proud of you.

There isn't a finance thing.

Oh, wait a minute.

Don't start blowing the bugles yet.

I figured it out on a strictly cash basis.

It's a free ride.

The taxpayers are putting all of the bills.

And they say it's one of the finest engineering courses in the world.

The graduates can get a job anyplace who wants.

And I've always had a secret ambition to be an engineer.

So, well, I can work in South America or Africa building bridges.

In four years I'm in business.

Rocky, it's wonderful.

Isn't it then?

Yes, it's wonderful.

I tried to pull the pieces together that night.

Of course I knew he'd talk about a free

education who was applying to cover up the truth.

I knew he was trying to pay the debt he thought he owed by taking Harry's place.

But what I thought about was the Army regulation which said that if a cadet

married before graduation he would have to resign from the Academy.

Four years.

And I didn't even know if he cared.

The only thing I had to cling to was a date.

Seven months off.

The pleb dance at Christmas.

Join yourself.

Fine.

But I wish it were more often.

Only three and a half more years for graduation.

Then what?

I'll make it my condition.

May I?

Be back these two months.

Don't you want me to?

You know I want you

to.

Gentlemen, let me remind you.

You have only one hour to get back to the barracks.

Thank you.

That night set the pattern of our lives for the next three years.

Minutes of happiness separated by months of waiting.

I saw him for half a day on Easter.

I remember we tried to find a place where we could be alone.

The only trouble was that every other cadet at the point was trying to.

And

then there were a few afternoons during the summer.

Mostly Sundays when we could walk.

And then there were the football games.

We couldn't always sit together.

But we saw each other at the haves.

And after the games were over.

Of course I realized Rocky was finding himself at the point.

He pushed the dark thing in his mind out of sight.

He was a normal, integrated human being again.

The only trouble was I've begun to disintegrate.

After three years I still had nothing to cling to.

No understanding, only hope.

Then out of the blue and apparently for no reason.

He broke a date I've been living for since July.

Then you have to tell me.

I can't see it tonight.

But I can't discuss it.

That was the last straw.

I could think of only one thing to do.

Send him a letter telling him that I decided to break it off and go away.

I planned to leave the next morning.

That night I packed my thing.

I was too upset to sleep.

You break off short but you know is your last chance of having it.

You can't close your mind on him.

Can't shut the door on your memories.

Rocky.

Well, I should be able to let me in.

Why are you in civilian clothes?

I picked another pause place.

How did you get leave?

What's happened?

It doesn't matter.

You don't want to go for matters?

Then we go away.

Rocky answered me.

Do they know you've come to New York?

What difference do they know?

You're deserting?

Saving them the trouble of firing a misfit, that's all.

Rocky, I don't understand.

But you have to tell me.

You must be in trouble.

Please tell me what it is.

It's nothing to tell except.

But I just realized today.

I'm just not for the point.

I'll never be the soldier I should be.

So I beat them to the punch and resign.

You resigned.

Yes, as Fraser says, for the good of the service.

But it isn't for the good of the service.

For three years, you.

For three years, I've been pretending to you and myself

under the point that I can make up for a mistake.

I just can't be done.

Perhaps you made a mistake.

Isn't that the way everybody learns?

It's only cowards and weaklings who can't rise above a mistake.

Who are the better for having made one?

Can't you see, Rocky?

I can see I'm making a good try.

But it's not good enough.

Where are we going?

We're not going anywhere.

You're going back to the point.

Didn't you just write me and call me that you couldn't stand being apart?

Yes, I did.

Well, don't you see when I'm going to be apart any longer?

Now what you want it?

Yes, I thought it was.

But now that it's here, all I can think of is how hard you've worked for three years.

The things you've made yourself go through.

The times you must have been twice as disappointed and discouraged as I was.

Look, who's out of you on?

Hours of theirs.

There's Rocky.

I won, finally.

I think perhaps because he wanted me to win.

To early this morning, I drove him back to the point.

In time for him to tear up his letter of resignation.

This is very touching, I'm sure we all sympathized.

But aren't we getting away from the original point?

This man's flagrant, this obedience caused the death of his commanding officer.

What does the army do in such a case?

I think it caused for a general court martial.

Look, Fran, we're not through yet.

I have milder witnesses here.

Will you speak your piece, Doc?

Of course.

Would it be too much to ask the doctor's name?

Dr. Joseph White, formerly as psychiatrist.

I want to read hospital in Washington.

We've heard the medical testimony already, Mr. Chairman.

From an orderly, you don't know a psychiatrist from the short toll?

Will you hear, Dr. White?

This is Daniel.

Will you sit over here, please?

Take the chair, Doctor.

You'll be seated, Mr. Fran.

Gentlemen, our department had a great deal of experience.

With combat neurosis, perhaps 5,000 cases.

Usually, I could spot the source of trouble, real, or

imagined in a very short time, and quickly affect the cure.

We're interested in that german doctor, nothing lectures on psychiatry.

Yes, I know.

Gilman's case was one of the few that I have trouble with.

There seemed to be something missing somewhere.

A gap at his experience, I was never able to uncover.

Finally, I discharged him, hoping that contact with

the outside world would enable him to cure himself.

Last night, after Mr. Dewing called me, I looked over

cadet Gilman's case history after the present time.

And then I had an idea.

Yes.

What was that, Doctor?

I would like to introduce some other witness before I tell you.

Mr. Laughlin?

Yes.

Would you be seated, please?

Will you tell the board exactly what you told me concerning the incident in Tunisia?

Yes.

From the stack.

Well, what there was left of our company was on a ridge.

It was about 300 yards from an olive grove.

We all knew what was in that grove.

Something that was due to come out at daybreak in stockers.

Stockers and pounds.

It's the way that brand of tank worked.

That's why it was called a tiger.

Two ravines cutting through this ridge.

I'll take four men and go through the one on the right.

We'll get us close to the grove as I can without being spotted.

You take five men in the bazooka and go around to the left.

Exactly.

Four fifteen.

I'll attract his attention by making a lot of racket.

As soon as he traverses to me, you move up with the bazooka.

If you get close enough with it, it won't be in business.

I got you.

I got to move fast.

We can't take more than one or two shots.

You must be there at exactly four or fifteen, or it's curtains for us.

I must check our watches.

Right.

Let's get going.

Good luck.

A place to face with a tank.

The ravine suddenly seemed about as private as Fifth Avenue on an Easter Sunday.

It seemed like the tiger felt that way, too.

I heard a moan from whitey behind me, and I turned back.

A shell fragment just below the collarbone.

Rocky moved on ahead while I practiced a little first aid.

I

thought for a second you'd got it bad.

But it was just a concussion for a near miss.

It was still a day, it's a groggy.

That's wrong, Rocky.

What time have you got?

418.

Come on, let's hear it, Captain Daniels.

I wondered what he meant three minutes late.

I just figured he must have been hit pretty hard.

I never knew until Dr. White told me today that Rocky thought he spent those three

minutes getting up his nerve to go after that tank.

You mean I was up at three minutes and that go away?

That's right.

Gentlemen, that was the link which was missing.

The link I failed to find.

During those critical three minutes, Gilman was not clinging to the ground,

with tears, his comeback shattered hers.

Later convinced him he was unconscious.

And therefore not responsible.

Why didn't you tell me this before?

You never would let me talk about it, Rocky.

It's a gem, I should have.

What?

I said shut up.

You come with me.

I want you to face this young man and tell him that he's a liar.

So that's it.

Go down and wait for me in the car.

I guess I was all wrong about everything here.

General and I wonder what politics is.

I'm sorry Mr. Gilman.

You should be.

Show them to devote yourselves.

In the military service of the nation, you help

man the fortress for which freedom still finds me.

This, your immediate mission is one upon which

the very existence of our nation may depend.

The fortress must be strong.

It's garrison, the embodiment of military efficiency.

So long as West Point graduates continue one in spirit with the men they lead.

That long shall this fool live in the proud boast that he serves American,

faithfully and well.