Original subtitles

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Heat. Heat.

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Heat. Heat.

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Heat.

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Heat.

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Heat.

Heat.

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Heat. Heat.

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Rocky, you're a to report to the board

of investigation immediately. Room 117.

>> What's the uniform?

>> Full dress. 50/50. Better make it on the

double.

>> Take over for me with you. Right.

[Music]

>> Mr. Denmore Raymond Denmore Jr. and I'm

her attorney, L Proctor.

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

This way, please. Thank you.

>> General Bond, sir.

How do you do sir?

>> How do you do gentlemen?

>> You remember Mr. Denmour's son? General.

>> Yes, I do.

>> And this is Mr. Proctor. He's

representing Mr. Denmark.

>> Mr. Proctor.

>> How do you do, sir?

>> If you gentlemen are ready to proceed,

I'll notify Mr. Julian, the chairman of

the board.

>> Oh, we're quite ready. Then will you sit

at this table here, please?

>> Thank you, gentlemen.

Hello. How are you?

>> You sir,

>> sir, Cadet Gilman reports to the

superintendent as ordered. 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. Instead of 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 questions you may care to

ask.

>> I think before we attempt to interrogate

Cadet Gilman, we should hear the

background of the affair from Mr.

Denmark, his attorney.

>> Thank you, Mr. Julian.

>> Very well.

On the service, this matter would appear

too insignificant to justify 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 Denmar, Jr. was

compelled to resign to the United States

Military Academy for an alleged

violation of something with a high

sounding name of the Honor Code of the

Core of Cadets.

He was accused of lying by another

member of the academy, the dead 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 taxpayers's money. And we

are going to prove this by an

investigation of the character of one of

the academyy's model cadetses. This 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. That

he's a bully. That he's unreliable,

untruthful, and perhaps even criminal.

Gentlemen, we object to 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 are admissible.

Col.

>> But gentlemen, this is not a doubt,

darling.

>> Thank you, Mr. Julian. And now, to

provide the background, I should like to

call Mr. Denmour and Lenny's son.

>> Very well.

Mr. Denmoour, would you take the witness

chair, please, and tell us about how you

and Mrs. Denmo began to worry about

Raven. Thank you.

It was about 2 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 your letter, Mr. Denmark.

The common the dean have furnished me

with your son's records. He certainly

has no academic difficulties.

>> No, he's a bright boy. Inherited that

from his mother. Now, it's something

else.

>> I see the physical side. The police are,

Mr. Demo.

>> 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 lbs 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.

Cadet Roberty Lee, class of 1829 and the

eighth superintendent of this academy. I

wouldn't worry about your son, Mr.

Denmir. It's natural for the cadetses to

exaggerate the rigor of the training

they undergo. Builds them up in 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. It's this hazing, this

bullying.

>> Bullying. Of course, I know that new

students of every college have certain

rituals to go through. bowing down to

the seniors, having the paddle applied

once in a while. Went through it once

myself.

>> There is no physical mistreatment of

fourthassmen at the academy, Mr. Demo.

>> I'm afraid that's not what I heard,

General. In several of his letters, Ry

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, Ry wrote there was one cadet

especially. I suppose he'd be a senior.

>> First classman. You know his name?

>> No, he didn't mention it. I suppose

because he didn't want to or was afraid

to. But Ry knows the cadet and can give

the time and the place.

>> You've made a very serious charge

against a cadet at the academy, Mr.

Denmore. I'll have a member of my staff

look into it immediately.

>> This way, Mr. Denmore,

>> I discovered this boodle behind his

field equipment. Lucky for the company,

it passed inspection.

>> Sir, may I make a statement?

>> You may not. And get a brace on those

shoulders.

>> That's Harry's statement, Alice.

>> Not statement. Alibi. I'll put it there

after inspection, sir.

>> Doesn't ever belong there, Mr. Dom John.

It's the second time in a week. I intend

to report it.

>> No report will be necessary. We'll let

Mr. Danmore repeat his favorite speech.

>> Go ahead, pop off, mister. I'm not going

to be pushed around by any hero fought

the war at West Point. My father's just

as as important as any general in the

army.

>> Ray,

who made up that speech?

>> Clees are always given speeches to

provide entertainment, Mr. Denmark. 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. Denmark, did you or did you not make

that speech up yourself the first week

you were here?

>> No, sir. I didn't.

>> That 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 up? 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. Denmark.

>> Come along, Raymond.

>> 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,

convicted on the unsupported testimony

of the men who had been persecuting him.

Cadet Gilman, I would like the officer

responsible for discipline and training,

to make an official statement concerning

the treatment of new cadets by

upperassmen. General Prescuit, Commandon

of Cadets. Gentlemen, under no

circumstances is an upper classman

allowed to strike a plea or order him to

do 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 nor

witnessing an attempt on the part of an

upper classman to physically mistreat a

pleb is subject to dismissal.

>> Yes, but there are many kinds of

mistreatment, general, both physical and

mental. Raymond, would you take the

stand, please?

Now, suppose you tell us about a few of

your encounters with Cadet Gilman, so

that the board may judge whether or not

there's any bullying at West Point.

>> Well, it began the uh 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

Thea Road till we got to the place where

we were to register.

I guess some of the fellas were pretty

scared. We'd all heard about the beast

detail that would be waiting for us when

we got inside the barracks area, but

none of us knew exactly what the

upperassmen in the detail were going to

do. We found out soon enough. It was

sort of a 5-minute preview of what we

could expect for the next year. There

were a lot of us, but they arranged

things so we all got individual

attention. See,

>> old men a sign of the first company fall

out here.

Forward.

Drop that bag. Drop it. Stand tall,

mister. What's your name?

>> Ray Denmore.

>> No, it's not. It's New Cadet Denmore.

You understand?

>> Yeah.

>> Yes, sir.

>> Yes, sir.

>> Now, what's your name?

>> New Cadet Denmore.

>> New Cadet Denmore, sir.

>> New Cadet Denmore, sir.

>> Pop, Mr. Muller. 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. Now get that chest up in

there. Suck up that stomach, mister.

Suck up that stomach. You hear me

talking to you?

>> Yes, sir.

>> Well, I'm not talking for my health. Now

you pop that chest up. When I speak, you

function.

>> You will salute all upper classmen you

see. You refer to them as sir. Do you

understand?

>> Yes, sir.

>> Mr. Michaels, you've joined the best

company in the core. Do you know who's

going to make it that way?

>> Yes, sir.

>> You are. That's right.

>> Now roll out that sway. Suck up your

stomach. Now reach for the sky with your

top of your head. Now pop your chest way

up in there, mister. Let's make

something out of that puny chest. Move

it up there. Pull up your tie. Hold on

your sleeves. Exclude all members of the

detail. You recognize them by the white

gloves?

>> Yes, sir.

>> You've been the double in this area at

all times.

>> You expect me to remember all of this?

>> You didn't have permission to ask a

question, mister. Let's hear you report

to the first sergeant.

>> Sir, Denmore reports to the first

sergeant of the first company as

ordered.

>> Very well. Report to the first sergeant.

>> It wasn't 4 hours later that he got me

again.

>> You man, h

take care of this, please.

Were you told to keep on the double in

this area?

>> Yeah, I guess I was.

>> You don't guess either no you believe.

It's yes or no, sir.

>> Yes, sir.

>> Sloop when you spoken to.

>> Yes, sir.

>> Help that chest. Moving that chin.

>> You have to keep on the double as you're

told.

>> Yes, sir.

>> Where were you going?

>> To the post office, sir.

>> No, you're not. You're going to the

barber shop. Get your haircut.

>> Yes, sir.

>> On the double?

>> Yes, sir.

>> Post.

Hey,

[Applause]

[Music]

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 a first class

in boxing. Time. Now we'll try the left

jab. Gentlemen, feet like this. Chin

tucked under shoulder. Guard here. Left

jab only. No slugging. Ready? Time.

Weren't you told the left jab only,

mister?

>> 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 see it.

>> 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. Denmar,

>> excuse me,

>> sir.

>> Don't you know the flirtation walk is

off limits to fourth classman?

>> Yes, sir.

>> Report to me at first call for supper.

>> Yes, sir. But I guess the worst trouble

I had with them was on the firing range.

Our whole group had been turned out for

rifle instruction. Most of us had never

fired a rifle before.

>> Are you crazy? Could be a court marshal

offense pointing a loaded weapon up

range like that.

>> One study might kill somebody. Would you

like that, dumb, John?

>> No, sir.

>> We'll get back into 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, um, there was no regulation I knew

about against a man mentioning his

father. Um, anyway, uh, all I said was

that he'd done a right where we come

from. I guess Gilman must have heard

about it

>> and made up the speech for you, eh?

>> Yes, sir.

>> It is not true.

>> Your turn will come, Mr. Gilman. You

see, gentlemen, Cadet 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. Now, we propose

to show you how false and unfair that

system can be by examining the character

of the man it's championing. A man who

came to the academy while this country

was still fighting Japan.

Mr. Chairman, this attack on the academy

and on the character of Cadet Gilman is

completely unexpected. We request an

adjournment until tomorrow. I think

that's fair enough. We will convene here

tomorrow at 9:00.

>> 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 under

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. Gilman, you are hereby

confined a barracks after evening meal

formation and you will discuss this

matter with no one.

>> Yes, sir. The hearing is now adjourned.

[Music]

>> Been waiting long.

>> I was about to give you up.

I've got something to tell you that

you're not going to like.

I've got to break our date tonight.

>> Why?

>> I can't explain it.

>> Rocky, there must be some reason.

>> I I just can't be with you tonight,

and I can't tell you about it.

Thus, 24 first classmen are elected each

year by the entire core to serve in the

honor committee. The hearings are not

open to the public, but they are not

secret. For instance, Excadet Denmour

was invited to testify, but he refused.

Is this true, Re?

>> You see, I didn't understand what they

wanted. I thought it was some sort of

hazing. Upper classmen never invite

plebes to join them unless it is.

>> I think you will agree, gentlemen, that

a body of men elected by the vote of the

core. 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. Ulyses Grant was a son

of a harness maker. Eisenhower, a Kansas

farm boy. MacArthur's father was a

professional soldier. As to Spartan

initial training, well, it has been a

custom of the academy for years. Since

all incoming candidates do not

necessarily meet the required physical

condition, some method had to be devised

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 Denmour

received especially unfair treatment.

>> We are prepared to answer that point,

Colonel Stalin.

>> We would like to introduce Cadet

Laughlin, a first classman, as a witness

to Cadet Gilman's experiences when he

was a plea.

>> Permission granted, Colonel.

>> Mr. Laughlin, take the stand.

Laughlin was originally a year ahead of

Gilman, but certain difficulties with

mathematics turned him back at class.

Mr. Laughlin,

you saw a good deal of what Cadet Gilman

went through as a plea, 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 messaul.

Messaul is kind of a big place. 30

minutes we feed over 2,000 cadets. So

you concentrate on the men at your own

table, especially the three plebes. The

gunner who serves the rations, the

coffee corpal who tends to the hot

drinks, and the water corporal who

handles the cold drinks. A pleb can't

speak unless spoken to. So you get a

good idea of what he can take. It's the

duty of the table command who sits at

the head of the table and the other

upper classmen to ensure that plebs

observe good table manners. At the

beginning of each meal, a pleb 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 upper classmen.

First, I was afraid Cadet Yman might

object to some of the customs. I needn't

have worried. Sir, the cold beverages

this table are water and lemonade. Is

there anyone who doesn't care for

lemonade? Send me water first, Mr. Dumb

John.

>> Water for Mr. Milton, sir.

>> Put your chin in, Mr. Dilly. You too.

Both of you bees get on the ball. What

do you think this is? A tea party?

Plebs. All set up. You've been dead

beaten at this table long enough. Now

put out like fourth classman should. Sit

up, mister. Look and act like thieves.

All of you move your shoulders back. Sit

tall.

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

>> Sir, today is Tuesday, September 22nd.

There's a hop Saturday night for the

first and second class at Colum Hall.

third class in South Gymnasium. There's

a a football game this weekend with

Columbia University at Mikey Stadium.

There are 91 days left till Christmas

leave.

>> That'll do, mister. Think you'll ever

make a soldier, Mr. Ducro?

>> No opinion, sir.

>> Form an opinion, Mr. Dukro.

>> Sir, in the fullness of time and the

benevolence of Providence, miracles may

occur. Baky not only had more experience

than any upper classman at the point, he

had something else to cope with.

Something pretty tough.

Mister, don't you know you should come

to attention, clear the way, and brace

when upper classmen pass?

>> Yes, sir.

>> And why are you standing improperly?

>> No excuse, sir.

>> Let's see the proper posture. Head high,

shoulders flat. Both shoulders, mister.

That's better. Now, spec that position.

>> Hold it, Johnson. You can relax, mister.

>> Hey, what goes on? He a 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. Dumbflick here,

nobody's passed me the word. Look, in 42

we were together and

>> well,

>> I make myself responsible for his

continued proper conduct for my own

reasons.

>> Well, it better not be. He has a

good-looking sister.

>> I told you you could relax. Rocky,

relax.

That shoulder you caught in North

Africa.

>> I'm doing all right.

>> Are you crazy? You want to wreck

yourself for good?

>> No statement, sir.

>> Oh, knock it off, Lieutenant. Don't go

around bracing all over the place if

it's going to hurt. The way I sit, it's

like disobeying an order.

>> You've got to learn when 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 whine to last year?

>> My guess is Cadet Gilman took as much or

more than 99% of the men who have gone

through the academy. But he never

whimpered once. Of course, he didn't

have a rich father to write home to.

>> Mr. Chairman, I object.

>> This is not a court of law, Mr. Proctor.

In the last four years, we've had a

number of veterans in the fleet classes,

including one major, seven captains,

over 100 lieutenants. But we make no

concessions, not even to those who were

decorated for conspicuous bravery, as

was cadet Captain Gilman.

>> Oh, we are very 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. human.

>> I would like to hear about every detail,

but I warn you, we know a good deal

about your history. So, I advise you not

to distort anything.

>> I don't intend to, sir.

>> Suppose we start at the beginning. You

were drafted, weren't you?

>> Yes, sir. I was drafted, but I never

thought it was anything to be ashamed

of. You see, it happened to quite a lot

of us. I'll admit, I wasn't very happy

about it. You see, I 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. From the looks

of this bunch, the draft boards must be

scraping the bottom of the barrel. Boil

them in in two columns, Sergeant. All

right, fellas. All in over here.

Get that gear in order, soldier.

>> Yeah, let me give you a hand.

>> Who told you to butt in? There's

>> no law against helping someone, even in

this outfit, isn't it? Oh, so you're

going to try and run the army now, huh?

>> No, but I'm not going to

>> I'd like to speak to you in the orderly

room. Yes, sir.

>> Sergeant, take charge of these men.

>> My name's Wman. What's yours,

>> Dr. Gilman? Thanks, Rocky. Okay, if I

wasn't for that other lieutenant,

>> you'd be in the guard house, Mac. Come

on, fellas. Hold in over here with the

others.

>> The next couple of weeks didn't change

my opinion, though. Lieutenant Daniels,

the one who chewed out the shave tail,

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 on 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 disobys any

lawful command of his superior officer,

shall suffer death or such other

punishment as a court marshall may

direct.

Any questions, men?

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.

>> Gilman, 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.

Harry

>> men, we're at war. The Japanese have

bombed Pearl Harbor. Remain in your

quarters until further orders. Brown,

you better report to the agent's office.

Lieutenant. Yes, Gilman. How does one go

about applying for Officer's Candidate

School?

The next three months were a scramble

for a guy who had breezed 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 kick you around. I didn't

think I was going to make it, but I

finally did. Lieutenant Gilman.

>> Congratulations, sir.

>> Why?

>> Why? These are special orders. Oh,

>> Sergeant,

where can I find the other commander?

He's over by the dead, sir. Oh, thank

you.

>> Wood, your name.

Step it up, man. Johnson, HJ 5624. 5624.

>> James Albert S4,

>> sir. Lieutenant Gilman, reporting as

ordered.

>> Lieutenant, I mean, Captain Daniels

Gilman, it's good to see you. You're the

one that requested me.

>> I figured since I was responsible in

sending you, the least I could do is ask

for it. Mind, Lieutenant?

>> Couldn't 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 get seasick?

>> I don't know, sir.

>> You will. Sergeant.

>> Yes, sir.

>> Eddie. Rocky. Excuse me, sir. Look at

the rank on it. Captain, you better look

your strung along the pair, sir. We're

the best in the regiment now. We are,

Eddie.

>> We are. Rocky patent AF697.

>> I was seasick. All right. Halfway to

England and on the next leg.

>> Go on.

>> We We went into action against Raml's

army at 4:00 one morning on a ridge just

outside of Tunis.

>> Please continue, Mr. Gillan. A

>> little after 4, what few of us were

left,

we're on our way to a field hospital.

>> Like to tell us a little more about that

engagement?

No, I wouldn't. I thought you wouldn't.

>> How long were you in the hospital?

On and off for about 2 years. They let

me go in March of 1945.

They said spring was just around the

corner.

I guess peace was too. The B29s had just

made a shambles of a good part of Tokyo.

The Germans were backing up towards

Berlin, and there were rumors that the

Swiss had been asked to negotiate a

surrender. And this one's for the return

of your personal property.

Your discharge emblem, sir. Honorable

discharge. It says here.

>> Good luck to you, Lieutenant. Thanks,

doctor. Thanks for everything.

>> Lieutenant, you forgot the most

important thing. Your distinguished

service card.

>> No, I didn't forget it. Keep it for a

souvenir.

>> They don't care who they hand those

things out to. That'll be enough, Craig.

I'll take it, 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 was a little dirtier than

I'd remembered, and Pop's place looked

smaller. But I suddenly had a warm

feeling inside.

>> Look, I say we get the pitching and we

get the penants.

>> What about space? Who's going to play

third? Who you got for relief pitching?

Kelly

>> Rocky.

>> Hello, Jim. Rocky.

>> Hello, Bonnie.

>> We thought you was dead or on the lamb

or something.

>> Last we hear you were in the hospital.

>> They got tired of me, Bonnie. Give me

the old ho.

>> Well, this calls for a celebration. Give

him a drink, will you?

>> Well, it be Rocky.

>> Not a thing, Jim. You know that. Hey,

where's Cara?

>> Cara?

She's around.

Bonnie will know.

How does it happen? You'll know.

Well, it's it's just that uh just what

Well, look, Rocky, Cora didn't know

what.

[Music]

>> Hello, Rocky.

>> Hello, Car.

>> When did you get back?

[Music]

Pretty

as usual.

>> Why didn't you write?

>> I did.

>> You didn't answer. Cara.

>> I didn't get him. Not a one. Honest.

>> Forget it.

>> By the way, Barney, congratulations.

>> You told him?

>> No, I didn't. You two should have told

me. I'd have sent you a wedding present.

A nice brand new hand grenade.

[Music]

>> What a nerve. Are you going to let him?

>> Come on, Cora. Come on. Let's get out.

>> Come in.

>> Hello, Rocky.

>> Hello, Pop.

>> I've been expecting you. I've been

expecting you for a couple of days.

>> We'll let you know.

>> The doc did.

Doc White wrote me a letter

>> about what?

>> Nothing much. He sent me this, too.

The Distinguished Service Cross. He said

you 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 of kin.

Distinguished Service Cross, the kid I

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 any.

>> 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 uh you're good

at together and you uh

you want to go to college.

>> Pop, do you know the difference between

integral calculus and differential

calculus?

>> Which war do they vote in?

>> I know the difference. Supposed to come

in handy sometime.

>> All right. All right. No college, but

the doc says you ought to find something

to keep your mind off things. How about

a job?

>> Maybe you're right.

with me like it was.

>> No, P.

>> Oh, well, there are plenty other places

a guy can work.

>> Let's see what we can do.

>> He landed me a job. All right. Five of

them altogether. 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. Gilman?

>> Yeah, a little.

>> I wouldn't bother about it. Takes time

to get the routine.

But I've already been here 2 weeks.

>> Well, we're not worried. We know how

difficult it is for you soldiers to

readjust. I want to tell you a little

secret.

I sat at that desk 35 years ago. Same

desk, same window, and I had trouble,

too.

I never dreamed that I'd be manager of

the bookkeeping department someday. And

in 6 months, I'm going to retire a

pension every month for the balance 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

3 years. At first, I used to hope they'd

pick some other color, white or yellow,

but it was always gray. After a while, I

wouldn't have wanted any other color. It

was better for my travels.

>> This company send you out?

>> 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.

Berlin's tear garden in the spring. The

finicular carrying me up to the

widespread tops of the Alps. Paris with

its steep roofs. Sometimes on fine days

the weld of Africa.

Let me get So you want to count the

bricks in that wall. Mr. Gilman,

see what there is to see. It's

magnificent.

He was wrong about the views on that

wall. 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 I counted them, then walked out. By

then, I was probably the most completely

unreadjusted soldier in New York.

Rocky.

>> Yeah, Jim.

>> You need a drink?

>> No thanks. It wouldn't do anything for

me.

>> Pops been looking for you. He said for

you to come up to his office. He wants

to talk to you.

>> Tell him thanks.

Tell him some other time I'm busy.

But I guess the real blowoff came on B

night. That cubby hole I'd rented in a

fire trap over on Broadway.

[Music]

[Music]

The racket outside was driving me half

crazy and I decided to get some food

sent up to the room.

>> I'll be right with you, mister.

>> All right, sweet.

[Music]

Come in.

>> See, I told you. Isn't he pretty? You

like the type.

>> What can I do for you?

>> Come on down the hall, bud. We just

started the celebration. I was sure of

me.

>> No thanks.

>> No, mister. 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 phony 4F I ever saw.

>> Now, get him out of here.

>> Told you I didn't like his type.

>> Fine thing. Offer a fella a drink.

[Music]

>> Rocky,

>> come in, pup.

How long has this been going on?

>> Not long enough to keep away from these

victory celebrations.

>> They're all right. They're having a good

time.

>> A good time paid for by guys like Harry

Daniels.

>> Your captain.

You want to tell me about it?

>> Didn't the doc tell you?

>> He said you'd do the talking.

There's a time in every man's life when

he has to get something off his chest.

Bottling it up is no good. It just

fermentss until it busts. Like now

>> could be.

>> If you don't want to tell me, how about

somebody else? How about the doc?

>> Not him,

>> but somebody.

>> Somebody.

There is somebody.

>> Somebody you can find in the phone book.

It's Harry Daniels, 331 East 61st

Street.

See you later, Paul.

[Music]

I went to see Mrs. Daniels. Then a few

weeks later, Mr. Ding 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.

>> And this personal matter anything to do

with your entering West Point?

>> In a way, yes.

>> Well, is that all you've got to tell us?

>> Yes, sir. You realize your testimony

leaves us with the assumption that you

entered West Point merely because you

were depressed, unsettled, a victim of

believe they call it uh combat fatigue.

>> The assumption is entirely yours, sir.

>> You may step down.

>> Gentlemen, you've heard Cadet Captain

Gilman's testimony. I shall now prove

that this paragan of West Point is

lacking in all essentials of

responsibility, that he's unfit to take

his place among normal, decent men. Uh

Mr. Craig, will you take the stand,

please?

[Applause]

I should like to introduce Mr. John

Craig. Mr. Craig was medical core

attendant at Walter General Hospital,

Washington, DC, during 44 and 45. Mr.

Craig, did your duties involve attending

on the then Lieutenant Rockwell Gilman?

>> 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'd

earned them.

>> Ordinarily, I could shake him awake, but

one night I couldn't seem to make any

headway.

>> No.

>> Come on,

>> you snap out of it. Look,

>> let's have a little quiet around here.

>> What's the matter?

>> He's at it again, Colonel.

>> 3 minutes, Lieutenant.

>> 3 minutes.

>> We'll get him quiet now.

>> I should have been there.

have him in the treatment room tomorrow

morning at 10:00.

>> Why do we 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, but

you will remain conscious. I don't want

you to be afraid of anything. Just

relax.

Unclench your fist, Lieutenant.

Now, Lieutenant, start counting

backwards from a 100. You start counting

backwards from 100.

100 99

98

Start counting.

Start counting.

100

998

97

96

95

>> Keep it up. 95

94 95

94

>> That's fine. Now we can begin our talk.

You're going to remember everything just

as you saw it. Every detail as clearly

as you can recall it. Just as you saw

it.

No.

>> Now relax. 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.

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.

Tank kept spitting fire at us every few

minutes.

>> Go on.

>> We were holding the ridge. We

>> our company, what 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.

>> Harry.

>> 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.

>> Fine.

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

took some men of it. Went down the right

right ravine.

I

I

>> Go ahead. You're seeing it again just as

it was. What did you do?

>> I took the rest and

went down the lift.

He ordered me.

He ordered me to

>> He ordered you to do what?

>> 4:15.

>> 4:15.

>> What happened at 4:15?

He made a racket to attack the tank.

>> 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.

>> No, I don't. I don't know.

>> Yes, you do. Now, think. You knew if you

didn't, it would keep firing on Captain

Daniels till it knocked 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 wasn't any reason. Perhaps you saw

another tank you hadn't seen before, or

you saw there was a better way to go

after it.

>> No. No.

>> But you did go after it.

>> I turned yellow.

Tank must have seen us, started firing

and it I turned yellow.

>> You got the tank, remember? You knocked

it out personally with a bazooka.

>> I disobeyed when I came out. When I came

out, Harry 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.

Now, there must be something,

some reason why you didn't come out.

Think

>> I disobey. 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.

And there, gentlemen, you have the

academyy's model cadet, the man whose

word this institution accepts above that

of my client's son, a man whose criminal

disobedience resulted in murder.

>> You wish to amplify Mr. Craig's

testimony?

No sir. Serian, members of the board, I

think we've proven beyond question our

case against the academy and this

Martinet who's walk.

>> Just a moment, Mr. Proctor.

>> Mr. Gilman, do you realize these

charges, if 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 9:00 tomorrow

morning.

Rocky say he's not showering any longer.

He'll drown.

>> Maybe he can wash off some of the mud I

heard they slung at him today.

>> But the latest Brian,

>> I don't know. I'm not due to be called

back till tomorrow. And Rocky's dummy

up. Orders. Run. Old Rocky. The mud

won't stick. Special delivery for

Gilman.

>> Taking a shower. I'll sign for

>> Good night.

>> Good night.

No perfume, but it's from the one and

only. Uh,

>> 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. At least 500.

>> Your own statistics?

>> 10 or 12. Anyway,

dear John, although in that darling gray

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. Maroyy's

father owns a diamond factory. Because

Mr. Michael, I can devote more than

three times a year to seeing little old

me.

>> Think of little old me as your sister

always. Your ever loving friend, Susie

Bry.

>> Yes. Little old me just found out what a

second lieutenant's base pay is. That's

all, brother.

>> That's no dear John letter. Not from

Anne Daniels.

>> Special for you, Rocky.

>> Thanks. You almost didn't make it.

>> Yeah, abs to go any minute.

Anything wrong, Rocky? Something

happened.

There's taps.

[Music]

>> Anything I can do?

>> 24. All right, sir.

>> 23. All right, sir.

22.

All right. For room 22, Rocky, report.

>> All right, sir.

>> 21. All right, sir.

[Music]

[Music]

Amen.

[Music]

Rocky.

Why aren't you going to ask me?

>> Why? Yes.

[Music]

5 after 2. Proc is going to love this.

Are you sure that's him?

>> I certainly am. Let's go.

[Music]

Gentlemen, the board is now in session.

>> I see that Mr. Gilman is not here.

>> Uh, Mr. Julian, we have someone looking

for him.

>> I wouldn't bother, General. I understand

that Mr. Gilman has left the academy.

I believe permanently.

>> Well, that's impossible. It would have

been reported. I assure you he 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 academyy'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, and it's pertinent to this

investigation. Mr. Gilman, I'm amazed

that you should have the terator.

>> Mr. Doctor, the witness has appeared

voluntarily.

>> Mr. Gilman, 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.

>> Nevertheless, we will hear him, Mr.

Proctor.

>> What have you to say about Mr. Craig's

story?

>> It's true, sir. It's exactly as he said.

>> You are admitting your disobedience

caused the death of Captain Daniels.

>> Yes, sir.

Mr. Gilman, you certainly have your

moments of honesty. While you're in your

present mood, why don't you tell us why

you were absent for the academy last

night?

>> No.

>> Why not? It's still a personal matter,

sir.

>> General, as his commanding officer, I

suggest that you order him to testify.

>> Just a moment, please. My name's Ding.

>> Mr. Gilman's guardian.

>> Yes, sir. I'd like to say a word for

Rocky, if it ain't out of order.

>> It's not a bit out of order. Puppy

status. No, I won't.

>> Mr. Dwing, 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. Dwey.

>> Yeah, sure. Rocky's too proud to call

for help. Well, he's going to get it

whether he wants it or not. I got two

witnesses who will be here any minute

now. And another one right in the room.

This young woman here. Please, Colonel

Stoddard, don't bring her into this.

>> On the contrary, we want to have brought

him to this. Gentlemen, I'd like to

introduce the lady Mr. Gilman went to

see last night, Mrs. Harry Daniels, the

widow of the man whose death he's

responsible for.

>> He isn't responsible for anybody's

death. I know Mr. Gilman too well to

believe anything like that.

I've known him for three years.

>> Mrs. Daniels, may I ask you, did you

know him before your husband?

>> I will 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 he can't.

>> But we know enough already about Mr.

Gilman's character. I suggest that the

young lady confineer testimony to the

meeting with Cadet Gilman last night.

>> As Mr. Julian has repeatedly emphasized,

this is not a court of law, Mr. Proctor.

If it meets with the approval of the

board, I think Mrs. Daniel should be

permitted to tell us anything she cares

to.

>> I agree with you, Carl.

>> Thank you, sir. Be seated, Mr. Gilman.

>> Mrs. Daniels, will you sit here, please?

>> Please proceed, Mrs. Daniels.

>> I first met Mr. Gilman on VE night.

The streets were crowded with people

celebrating,

but I didn't go out of my apartment.

[Music]

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.

But for me, the war had ended long ago

on a hill in Tunisia.

[Music]

Yes.

>> I I'm looking for Mrs. Daniels.

>> Which Mrs. Daniels?

>> Mrs. Daniels whose son was Captain

Daniels. Does she live here?

>> Yes, she does. And so do I. I'm his

wife.

>> You look exactly like your pictures.

>> Where did you see my picture?

>> In Africa.

>> You were in Africa.

Please come in.

[Music]

>> Won't you sit down?

>> No thanks.

>> What's your name?

>> You've never heard of me? It's 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.

>> When will his mother be home?

>> Not for a while yet.

>> But you'll have to do

>> to do what?

>> Help me celebrate payday. Help me wind

up some unfinished business.

>> I don't understand.

>> Mrs. Daniels, you think your husband was

killed by the Germans, don't you? Well,

he wasn't. I killed him. Subade a direct

order. When I got around to being where

I should have been, it

was too late.

Was dead.

Why don't you say something? I can take

it. That's what I came up here for. Hear

someone say the things I've been saying

to myself. Bring it out in the open.

[Music]

Mrs. Daniels, maybe you didn't

understand me. I just said I killed your

husband. They've got words for people

like me. Maybe you need time in the

dictionary.

But you'll find them.

>> If you can't, maybe his mother can. When

she does, I'll be in Pop Doing's place.

Brooklyn.

>> Pop's place in Brooklyn. They were still

celebrating VE Day. I don't know what

made me go. My heart achd almost as it

did the day the War Department telegram

came. But I knew Rocky needed comforting

even more than I did.

Could

[Music]

I speak to you, please?

>> I've been waiting,

marvelous, Mrs. Daniels. Mr. Harry

Daniels.

>> Oh, excuse me. Excuse me.

>> Mighty glad to meet you, Mrs. Daniels.

Won't you sit down? I hope you'll excuse

me. I have to run an errand. I'll see

you later, Mr. Daniel

>> must have found your dictionary.

>> May I say something?

>> Sure. Go ahead.

>> Even if you did disobey,

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 about

me?

>> Hey, Rocky.

>> War is over, fella. Why don't you and

the lady have a drink with us? Huh?

>> No thanks.

>> Maybe this is the reason you wrote so

little.

>> We just met tonight.

>> Why don't you and Barney run along?

Well, if that's the way you feel.

>> Yeah, if that's the way you feel.

>> Watch where you're going.

>> I don't get it. What's the matter with

people? Millions of men died for this

day.

>> They're just relieved that it's over.

>> I don't get the dancing on coffins. And

I don't get your kind wording me. What's

the matter with everybody?

>> Perhaps I can show you, but not here.

[Music]

I think he understood without my saying

anything that he wasn't alone. That all

over the world there were people who

knew the pain and cost of victory.

[Music]

like some coffee?

>> No, I think I'll be running along.

>> Good night.

>> Thanks for the new slant. I'll do some

thinking about it.

>> 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 loss, I thought of Rocky,

tortured by a 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.

Dwing, 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 I took enough

rebuffs to alienate almost anybody.

But by that time, I wasn't almost

anybody. I 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 nervous 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 too.

>> In accordance with a custom established

nearly a hundred years ago, this plaque

has been presented to the academy by

Captain Daniel's classmates.

>> Chapen York, will 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 adorn

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,

Bellow Wood, Chatau Tier, Pearl Harbor,

Corriador, a distinguished company.

But above all, I see commemorated here

the spirit 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? Be back.

>> The general wants us 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 has upset you.

I guess it's just being around the army

again. I've had enough of it.

Uniform saluting.

This place filled with toy soldiers.

Rich kids sneaking in on a political

pull sponging off the taxpayers.

>> Rocky

Eddie, what a surprise.

>> You're looking great. Oh, and it's

Sergeant Laughlin.

>> Used to be. Sergeant,

>> how do you do?

>> He was in our outfit, too.

>> That's right.

>> Oh, Eddie. An was Harry Daniel's wife.

I was in the captain's company and well,

we all thought he was tops.

>> 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 in 100 other places

and much better.

>> Not an education like this, Rocky. Look,

I saw and so did you. What happens to

countries with second best armies? So

when I found out they were taking in a

group of enlisted men, I boned up on the

exams.

>> Oh, there goes that trumpet again.

>> Mr. Lawren,

>> yes, sir. Don't you have a formation

before noon meal? 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 D.

>> Goodbye.

[Music]

>> Rich kids with political pool.

>> Come on.

>> I'm going out for a while.

>> But I thought Rocky was coming over.

>> He is. Would

you tell him that I have a date?

>> Who?

>> You don't have to tell him who is.

Just that I I don't want to see him.

>> But why not?

>> I just don't.

>> Oh, you've had a quarrel.

>> No, we haven't quarreled.

And

And

I've known all the time somebody was

bound to come along.

I'll miss you,

but I'm very happy for you.

>> But I can't.

>> Of course you can. Oh,

>> I can't fall in love again. I haven't

the right to.

>> 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 well, like Harry, I wanted

to wait for the proper time. This was

his last letter.

I'll read the part about you.

[Music]

And now, mother, I want to say something

very serious.

Things happen fast here and you never

know. If I'm unlucky, I want you to give

Ann a message for me.

Not right away, but when the time comes.

I don't want her to mourn 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

every word to him.

That's probably Rocky now.

Hello, An.

>> Hello, Rocky.

Won't you come in?

>> Sure.

>> I can't stay very long.

>> Why not?

>> Oh, I've got things to do. Come over

here and sit down. Hello, Miss Daniels.

>> 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.

>> West Point?

>> Yes. Pop's getting me an appointment

through one of his congressman friends.

Of course, I'll have to do a lot of

studying.

>> Rocky, you're not serious.

>> What's the matter with West Point?

>> Well, nothing except

I didn't think you like 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 finer 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. They say it's one of the finest

engineering courses in the world. The

graduate can get a job any place he

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? An

>> Yes, it's wonderful.

I tried to pull the pieces together that

night.

Of course, I knew his talk about a free

education was a blind 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.

4 years and I didn't even know if he

cared. The only thing I had to cling to

was a date 7 months off. The pleb dance

at Christmas.

[Music]

enjoying yourself?

>> Fine, but I wish it were more often.

>> Only three and a half more years till

graduation.

>> Then what?

>> When I get my commission. May I?

[Music]

There goes Army Blue.

>> Last day.

>> I'll be back Easter.

>> Do you want me to? You know, I want you

to

[Music]

gentlemen, let me remind you, you have

only 1 hour to get back to the barracks.

Thank you.

That night set the pattern of our lives

for the next 3 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 too.

[Music]

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

halves and after the games were over. Of

course, I realized Rocky was finding

himself at the point. He'd pushed the

dark thing in his mind out of sight. He

was a normal, integrated human being

again. The only trouble was I'd begun to

disintegrate. After 3 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,

and 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 things. I was

too upset to sleep.

You break off short what you know is

your last chance at happiness. You can't

close your mind on it. Can't shut the

door on your memories.

[Music]

[Music]

Rocky.

>> Well, aren't you going to let me in?

>> Oh, yes.

[Music]

Why are you in civilian clothes?

>> I picked them up at Pop's place.

>> How did you get leave?

What's happened?

It

>> doesn't matter.

>> The only thing that matters is it would

go away.

>> Rocky, answer me. Do they know you've

come to New York?

>> What difference does it make if 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.

>> There's nothing to tell except

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 resigned.

>> You resigned?

>> Yes. There's a phrase that says for the

good of the service.

>> But it isn't for the good of the

service. For 3 years, you

>> For 3 years, I've been pretending to you

and to myself and to the point that well

that I can make up for a mistake. It

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 you're 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 tell me

that you couldn't stand being apart?

>> Yes, I did.

>> Well, don't you see? We're not going to

be apart any longer. Isn't that what you

wanted?

>> Yes, I I thought it was.

But now that it's here,

all I can think of is how hard you've

worked for 3 years.

The things you've made yourself go

through.

The times you must have been twice as

disappointed and discouraged as I was.

>> Look whose side are you on? Ours?

>> There's Rocky.

I won finally.

I think perhaps because he wanted me to

win.

>> So early this morning, I 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

sympathize, but aren't we getting away

from the original point? This man's

flagrant disobedience caused the death

of his commanding officer. What does the

army do in such a case? I think it calls

for a general court marshal.

>> Look, friend, we're not through yet. I

have my other witnesses here.

Will you speak your peace, Doc? Of

course. Would it be too much to ask the

doctor's name? Dr. Joseph White,

formerly a psychiatrist at Walter Reed

Hospital in Washington.

>> We've heard the medical testimony

already, Mr. Chairman.

>> From an orderly who don't know a

psychosis from a shorttoe.

>> We'll hear Dr. White. Mrs. Daniels, will

you sit over here, please?

>> Take the chair. Doctor,

>> be seated. Mr. Proctor.

>> 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 a cure.

>> We're interested in Cadet Gilman,

doctor, not in lectures on psychiatry.

>> Yes, I know. Gilman's case was one of

the few that I had trouble with. There

seemed to be something missing

somewhere, a gap in 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. doing called me. I

looked over Cadet Gilman's case history

up to the present time and then I had an

idea.

>> Yes. What was that, doctor?

>> I would like to introduce another

witness before I tell you.

>> Mr. Laughlin.

>> Yes.

Will you be seated, please?

>> Will you tell the board exactly what you

told me concerning the incident in

Tunisia?

>> Yes.

>> From the start.

What there was left of our company was

on a ridge.

It was about 300 yd from an olive grove.

We all knew what was in that grove.

Something that was due to come out at

daybreak and stalk us. Stalk us and

pounce. It's the way that brand of tank

worked. That's why it was called the

Tiger.

[Music]

Two ravines cutting through this ridge.

I'll take four men and go through the

one on the right. We'll get as close to

the grove as I can without being

spotted. You take five men in the

bazooka and go around to the left. At

exactly 4:15, 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, we'll be in business.

>> I got you. Have to move fast. We can't

take more than one or two shots. You

must be there at exactly 4:15 or it's

curtains for us. I must check our

watches,

right? Let's get going. Good luck.

[Music]

It was the first time any of us had come

face to face with a tank. And the ravine

suddenly seemed about as private as

Fifth Avenue on an Easter Sunday. Seemed

like the tiger felt that way, too.

[Music]

I heard a moan from Whitey behind me and

I turned back. A shell fragment just

below the collar bone.

Rocky moved on ahead while I practiced a

little first aid.

[Music]

Get ready to fire.

Commence firing.

When I caught up with Rocky, I thought

for a second he had got it bad, but it

was just concussion from a near miss. He

apparently didn't know he'd been out

cold. He was still dazed, groggy.

[Music]

What's wrong, Rocky? What time have you

got?

>> 4:18.

[Music]

You got him.

Come on. Let's see. Captain Daniels.

[Music]

3 minutes. 3 minutes late.

[Music]

I wondered what he meant 3 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 3 minutes getting up his

nerve to go after that tank.

>> You mean I was out for 3 minutes in that

gully?

>> That's right,

>> gentlemen. That was the link which was

missing. The link I failed to find.

During those critical 3 minutes, Gilman

was not clinging to the ground, numbed

with terror as his combat shattered

nerves 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.

Remember,

>> it's a gentleman. I I should

>> shut up. What?

>> I said shut up and 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 want to apologize.

I'm sorry, Mr. Gilman.

>> You should be

>> chosen to devote yourselves in the

military service of the nation. You help

man the fortress for which freedom still

finds need.

This your immediate mission is one upon

which the very existence of our nation

may depend. The fortress must be strong,

its garrison the embodiment of military

efficiency.

So long as West Point's graduates

continue one in spirit with the men they

lead, that long shall this school live

in the proud boast that it serves

America faithfully and well.

[Music]

[Music]

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[Music]