All language subtitles for BlackSheep S01E18 (The Last Mission Over Sengai)

You guys, follow me in.

Hit the dirt!

So far, only
one Corsairs has been
positively identified.

Because of
the 20 Japanese flags.

Carter says
you ordered the strike,

and when you discovered
you'd made a mistake,

decided to lay it off on him.
Carter's a liar.

Ted, there were casualties.

You try to hang that on me

you'll find this war come
crashing down around you.

Carter's family buys
and sells senators like
you deal in Scotch.

What is it that you're
suggesting that I do, sir?

Resign your command.

(MEN SINGING)

(SIREN BLARING)

Out of my way, Larry.

Now, wait a minute, Jim.
Don't go jumping
to conclusion.

It's time somebody taught
that little boy a lesson.

Just wait for
confirmation, huh?

CASEY: Come on, you guys.
Jim's going after Carter.

I'm gonna have to knock some
ice into you, you get so hot,
you can't see anymore.

You stay away from me,
Gutterman.

Keep him off...
Get him off me,
get him off me!

You keep that maniac
away from me.

Cut it out, you, James!
All of you!

Stay away from me.

All right, you guys.
Knock it off! Knock it off!

Now get out of here.

Get out of here and get
yourselves a cool walk.
Get going.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

I'm not gonna
forget about this, Major.
Carter.

You're lucky to be alive.
Any one ofthese men could've
planted you with my blessings.

Now, I'll see you
in the up shack
in five minutes.

You got that, mister?

VMF 214 reporting
a close air support strike.

Sector 118,

grid alpha charley 202,

that's the northern end
ofthe Sengai Valley.

As soon as you get
strike confirmation,
let me know.

Negative.

Black Sheep One.

CARTER: I wanna say something.

That is with your permission,
Major.

Sergeant, why don't you
get yourself a cup of coffee?

What happened out there today,
it wasn't my fault.

I'm not interested in
whose fault it was.

Well, I am.
I took ground fire today.

I felt the slugs
in the aircrafts.

Sit down.

Somebody made a mistake today.

You try to hang that on me,
you'll find this war come
crashing down around you

as though you were the enemy.

You really have that much
horse power, Carter?

Push me. Find out.

You get your gear.

You're going to Espritos.
You're out of here
this afternoon.

You're really gonna try it,
aren't you, Boyington?

I've had it with you, Carter.
With you and your
silver spoon.

I probably should've
grounded you, but I didn't.

Now, that's going to be up to
the flight sergeant to decide.

You tell him about your
family tree
and your father's influence,

and whatever great career
someone's carved out for you.

You think you can
get me on a Section 8?
I got news for you...

Your way way off your head.

(MEN CHATTERING)

T.J.: What exactly
did you see?

I saw a panel marker
that was red or orange,
I don't know what color.

Anybody else see it?
No.

T.J.: Any markings on it?
An arrow or something?

Hey, did anybody see Carter?

If I were him, I'd go down to
the beach with my fancy pistol
and blow my brains out.

If you was him, Boyle,
you'd probably miss.

(LAUGHING)

Any of you guys see Carter,
tell him he got his orders.
Orders?

Wait, wait...

Hey...

What does it say?

Pappy sending him
to the flight surgeon.

It's about time.
That guy's got monkey fever.

Remember the time Greg
flamed that Zeke
and the pilot bailed out?

Oh, and Carter dove down
in his parachute?

I thought I'd heard of
athing like that,
never thought I'd see it.

The man loves killing.

Bob, you mind?

So Carter's gonna get
a Section 8 and go home.

It's fine.
What's gonna happen to us?

There's gonna be
an investigation.

Maybe even a court-martial.

Wait a minute.
We don't know those were
our troops down there.

I saw the panel markers.

You saw something, Jim.

Going 340, trying not to
bounce offtrees, you can't
be sure what you saw.

Yeah, but if it was...

It's been confirmed.

Fifth Marines were
on a mop-up operation
taking prisoners.

ANDERSON: Any losses?

Yeah.

But they don't know
how many yet...

All the reports aren't in.

FRENCH: My God.

GUTTERMAN:
So Carter's gonna get out
on Section 8?

I don't know what's gonna
happen to Carter,
and I don't give a damn.

We have been removed
from combat status,

pending a full investigation.

Now, when the brass
and the press get here,

I would appreciate it, men,
if you would keep your
mouths closed for a change.

One of your pals
are looking for you.

I don't have any pals here.

My heart bleeds.

Hey, Ted!

Here. Your orders.

Yes.

Maybe I'll see you around,
Larry.

Maybe.

We got word
from the rear area.

It was one of our own units.

They should've put
the markers out.

You can't tell anything
from the air
without the markers.

I don't know.
Maybe they got covered up
or something, you know.

Yeah, maybe.

There's your plane.

Did you see any markers?

No, I didn't.

But I was in the last flight,
we aborted before
we got over the valley.

They didn't
put the markers up.

It's their own fault.

Ted, there were casualties.

I thought you'd wanna know.

We have ground reports of
repeated attacks, Boyington.
Repeated!

Now, how did that happen?

One of my pilots made
a mistake. He was separated
from the rest ofthe squad...

He took a run down the valley
and he saw enemy troops...

What he thought
were enemy troops.

He radioed his position
for assistance,

and since he knew
where the ground fire
was coming from,

he was the first one
to fly the first pass.

Ground fire! Enemy troops!

My God, Boyington, those were
United States marines guarding
Japanese prisoners!

I know that now, sir.

Well then, what the hell
happened out there?

Sir, it's possible that...

That Carter... That he got
confused and

he attacked
the wrong position.

But the point is, sir,

that when we realized what
happened and I gave the orders
to abort,

my men followed those orders
and they aborted.

The point, Boyington,

is that United States Marines
were wounded in that strafing.

And what was supposed
to have been
a routine mop-up operation

turned into
a full scale battle.

It took six hours
to secure the area!

And more men were lost
in that fighting.
Men that would be alive now!

You said, Carter? Ted Carter?

Yes, sir, I said Ted Carter.

Get him in here, rightaway.

Sir, I sent him to Espritos
for a medical evaluation.

Do you know who
Ted Carter's father is?

Yes, sir.
He wouldn't let us forget it.

General Kane has ordered
a full-scale investigation,
Boyington.

So far, only
one Corsairs has been
positively identified.

The marines remembered it.

Because there were
at least 20 Japanese flags
on the fuselage.

Oh, Carter's looks very
pleased with himself today.

Major Boyington.

Major, l'm Preston Sawyer from
General Kane's headquarters'
in New Caledonia.

You know General Moore,
Colonel Lard,
and Colonel Richardson.

Major.

Sit down, Greg.

This is a formal hearing,
Major.

What you say will be
recorded and transcribed

and you'll be asked
to sign it.

I understand you have waived
the right to be represented
by counsel at this hearing.

For this hearing,
that's right. Yes, sir.

Then tell us what happened
on your
last mission over Sengai.

We were flying
close air support for
the Choiseul invasion,

the enemy was honeycombed
into the hill sides

and we were dropping
500 pounders...

BOYLE: I wonder why
it's taking so long.

I don't know,
but I don't like it.

These MP's remind me
of a bunch of vultures,
sitting on a tree

waiting for old mule to die.

(EXHALES) At least
General Moore's in there.

He won't let Pappy
get railroaded.

ANDERSON: He's coming out.

Lieutenant Robert Boyle.

Oh, I got to
go in there first.

Just go in there, Bob.

I don't trust that
character Sawyer.

Well, he's General Kane's
right-hand man. I've been
studying up on all this.

I'm supposed to be
the squadron's legal officer.

What'd you tell them, Pappy?
We ought to keep our stories
straight.

I told them the truth.

And that's what I expect
all you guys to do, I expect
you to tell them the truth.

LARD: Go ahead, Lieutenant,
tell us what happened.

Yes, sir.

Well, we just flew
an air strike...

Relax, Lieutenant, go ahead.

Yes, sir.

...at the Japanese
emplacement.

We went upstairs
and we regrouped,

and then Carter
got on the radio...

Lieutenant Ted Carter?

Yes, sir.

He was over the north end
ofthe valley.

But somehow he got separated
from the rest of us.

He said he that he was
receiving ground fire
and he needed assistance.

So Pappy led us over there...
Excuse me?

By Pappy, I assume
you mean Major Boyington?

Yes, sir. Major Boyington.

Thank you.

So Carter knew
where the ground fire
was coming from,

so he led us in.

l was in the back,
with Casey,

it's Lieutenant Larry Casey,

and still coming in
overthe hill

when I heard Pappy
on the radio

saying that there was
a friendly position down there
and telling us to abort.

So I pulled up.

Then Carter said that Pappy,
the Major, was crazy,

that there were a friendly
troop for Marines pinned
down there in the valley.

And then Carter came around
to make pass.

Pappy, chased down after him
and told him to get back
in the formation.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

Is that all, sir?

We have a number of people
to interview.

Don't you wanna ask me
anymore questions?

SAWYER: I don't think
that'll be necessary.

Yes, sir.

Thank you very much,
Lieutenant.

You're welcome, sir.

That's the last ofthem.

General?

lt's preposterous.

Not a single man
has corroborated
Carter's testimony.

Why should they?

They're loyal to their
commanding officer.

Captain, eight men sat in here
and told the same story,

even down to the words
in the radio transmissions.

Carter's story was
completely different.

Those eight men have had
48 hours to collaborate
on their story.

I'm not surprised
they used the same words.

General...

I know the history
ofthis squadron.

If it hadn't been for
Boyington, those pilots would
have been court-martialed

or sitting behind desks,
and probably court-martialed.

Well... Look at the charges
Colonel Lard has filed
against this unit

in the last six months.

They're derelicts,
undesirables...

And liars.
And that is documented.

Whereas Lieutenant Carter's
service record is spotless.

I don't think
we can ignore the fact

that Boyington asked for
psychiatric examination
of Carter

following the incident.

The doctor's preliminary
indicates a clean bill.

Go get Carter.

SAWYER: Not one ofthem
supported your story.

CARTER:
I told you they wouldn't.

Ted...

I hope to God you know
what you are doing.

Once athing like this
gets started,
it's hard to stop it.

What am I supposed to do?

Protect Boyington?

Protect the stainless image
ofthe Marine Corps?

Look, it is myjob to
protect the Marine Corps,

and yourjob
to protect yourself.

But I want you to be sure

ifthis thing gets all the way
to court-martial,

that you will be able
to go through with it.

What are you talking about?

Why wouldn't I
go through with it?

You think I'm lying?

No.

No.

No, I don't think
you're lying.

MOORE: Lieutenant,
you've made serious charges
in this inquiry.

lfthere is any doubt in your
mind as to the accuracy
of your recollection,

or any part of the testimony,

or if you would like to
reconsider,

I stand behind everything
I've said, General.

It's the truth.

Very well, Lieutenant,
you're dismissed.

Wait for us outside.

I wanna wait a few days.

SAWYER:
Washington wants to know
how we're handling this

and how we're gonna
keep it out ofthe press.

Are you aware, General, that

Navy censors have caught
over two dozen letters
describing the incident?

Every man in the Fifth Marines
is talking about it.

I don't buy Carter's story.

I wanna wait
until the flight sergeant
has more time with it.

Sir...

General Kane made
one thing clear to me,

Ted Carter is not leaving
his command with
a Section 8 on his record.

Then General Kane
wants a court-martial?

No. General Kane does not
want a court-martial.

He feels it would be
tremendously embarrassing.

It would raise questions
in Washington as to

why VMF 214 exists

as a combat squadron
under Boyington's command.

It exists, Captain,

because I authorized it.

MOORE: Sit down, Greg.

What I'm gonna say to you
in this room is completely
offthe record.

Come on, come on.
What's going on?
Shh.

(CHATTERING)

Carter says
you ordered the strike,

and when you discovered
you'd made a mistake,

decided to lay it off on him.

Do you believe him, sir?

Colonel?

Doesn't matter whether we
believe it or not, Boyington.

There are five officers
who are gonna have to be
convinced that it isn't true.

You're going for
a court-martial.

Pappy's gonna be
court-martialed.

Wha...

What did he say?
Shut up!

You have become
a thorn in the side
of a two-star general.

He wants your wings.

And he's got you right between
the rocks and the shoals.

That still doesn't
alter the fact that
Carter is a liar.

Well, what is it that
you're suggesting I do, sir?

Resign your command.
Now, wait a minute!

l'll transfer you back to
Pearl Harbor and I'll do
my best bury this whole thing.

Give it a year
and I guarantee you eagles.

And the Black Sheep?

The squadron
will have to be broken up.

They'll all go into
the pilots pool.

What happens if I don't
jump on this hand grenade,
if I just...

If I just let it go off?

Then you'll be charged
with dereliction of duty
as a commanding officer.

If you're convicted,
it'll go on your record
and it'll never come off.

You'll be forced to resign
your commission.

What happens
if I'm not convicted?

Greg,

Ted Carter's family buys
and sells senators like
you deal in Scotch.

Presidents come to his
father's home for dinner,

generals run errands for him.

What do you think the fate
of one fighter pilot would
mean to a man like that?

Joe Carter has plans
for his son.

He wants a war hero
in the family.

l'll marry his daughter.

(SIGHS)

What do you want from me,
General?

There's only one thing
matters to me, Greg.

I want to be able to
look you in the eye
the next time
see you.

How much time do l have?

Forty-eight hours.

I accept the court-martial.

You're early today, Colonel.

I'm on duty.

There's supposed to be
a Major Boyington here?

In the back.

GREG: Colonel Ellis?

A sad fact but true.

l'm Greg Boyington, sir.

This is T.J. Wylie,
that's Jim Gutterman.
Why don't you sit down.

Yeah.

Any particular reason
to meet in here, Major?

Well, I needed an office.
As much as I am
up for court-martial,

so I figured I'd set up shop
someplace where I can be
comfortable.

You're pretty cheerful
about it.

Colonel?

Tell me, Major, we got
a lot of bright young men
in the section,

why'd you pick me
to represent you.

T.J. checked up on those
bright young men.

And none ofthem
were criminal lawyers.

It so happens I was
a lousy criminal lawyer.

You're in deep water, Major,
and you're sinking fast.

You've got a two-star general
out to get your wings

and a prosecuting attorney
I would've been afraid of
in my prime,

if I'd ever had a prime.

You might as well let this
sea lawyer represent you
for all the good I can do.

I got news for you, Colonel.

I think I can
beat this court-martial.

You're going to beat it?

Well, you got the right
to represent yourself.

I think you should.

Better you to have
a fool for a client than me.

(ELLIS LAUGHING)

Pappy.

I got the names
on the court-martial board.

(EXHALES)

(GROANS)

The good old rocks and shoals.
Everyone of them's a personal
friend of General Kane's,

except the president.
That's odd.

The president is Colonel Lard.

He doesn't have to be a friend
of Kane's. He's been trying to
put me away for six months.

He's going to get his wish.
You're going down the pipe,
son.

And you're an old shyster
who doesn't know a winner
when he's sitting with one.

You, sea lawyer.
I want a deposition on
this Lieutenant Carter.

You know how to
take a deposition?

l was pre-law in college
before they kicked me out...
Just do it.

And you, get over to
Lared's office and tell him...
Lard.

Lard. And tell him I want
a copy of every charges
ever been made against

this Black Sheep squadron.

Or anything else
that pertains to this case

and if he holds out
anything on me,

tell him I'll file appeals
all the way to Washington

and he won't hear the end
ofthis case
till the end ofthe war,

if he's lucky.

(ALL LAUGHING)

ELLIS: Get going!

Yes, sir.

And you

just keep pouring.

I'm in.

Me, too.

GREG:
fold.

T.J.: You know what's
spooky about all this?

I think Carter really believes
you ordered him
to strafe that valley.

I mean, he reallythinks
we're all out to get him
to protect ourselves.

Call.

BOYLE:
Case Section 8 twice over.

What's that make him, Bobby?
Section 16?

Section 116.

(SHUSH)

Everybody out?

Gentlemen, I wanna thank you
for your contribution
to my defense fund.

All right.

T.J., when you talked to
Carter did he act differently?

Different from what?
He's always been a yo-yo.

Yeah, I know that.
But you know,
if he's gone bananas

he'll act
a little differently.

That's not necessarily so,
you know.

I had an uncle who's
crazy as a fruit tree

until he sat down with
a psychiatrist or a lawyer or
doctor, he was normal as you.

Well, normal as normal people.

You call that normal?

Hey, you know
what I was wondering?

l was wondering if Carter
just all of a sudden
had an accident.

You guys know
what I was thinking?

You know, it wouldn't be
all that hard to blackmail
Lard,

and he's the president
ofthe court.

Pathetic bunch of hooligans
you all are.

Commanding officer
is responsible

for the actions all his men,
crazy or not.

Look here, old man, aren't you
the buffalo who said they're
trying to railroad Greg?

Now it just seems to me...

You just proved
Carter's point for him.

Maybe you're all
out to get him.

I thought you were sleeping.

It's a common misconception.
lwas thinking.

Thinking of your strategy?

l was thinking how I can
get out ofthis assignment

before you derelicts
pull me down with you.

Ten. Hut!

I want to talk to you.

You're rapidly losing your
one chance to get out ofthis
situation intact, Major.

If you think you can save
yourself by discrediting
the Marine Corps

or Ted Carter,

I will personally
guarantee you

one deep hole with
your name at the bottom of it.

You're already scared of this,
aren't you, General?

You know that
Ted Carter's lying.

I don't believe you heard...

I heard what the General said.

Carter needs psychiatric help.

l was in command
ofthe squadron.

You want to discipline me
for what happened, do it, sir.

But don't take my squadron
away from me.

Boyington,
I'll take everything
you ever had away from you.

Before l'm through,

you're gonna wish
you went down in that
last mission over Sengai.

KLlNE: We entered
the Sengai Valley from
the northern pass, at 0715.

We were a flanking operation
under the command of
Captain Taylor.

Ourjob was
to contain the enemy

as he was flushed from
the caves on the hillside,

where the main force
was on a sweep,

Colonel Fein commanding.

SAWYER: But you were under
the command of Captain Taylor?

KLlNE: Yes, sir.

Where is Captain Taylor now?

On a hospital ship
off Guadalcanal.

He got shot up pretty bad
by the Corsairs.

When did you first see
the Corsairs?

We were rounding up
prisoners.

Most ofthem were
confused and disoriented.

They hadn't eaten in a week,

they were out of ammo,

we were giving them
chocolate bars and C-rations.

What's with that guy,
is he lost?

MAN: He's coming around again.
What's he doing?

Sarge!

(GUN FIRING)

Hit the dirt!

Damn! Oh, God, I got hit!

Get on the radio
and try to call that idiot!

MAN: We tried, sir.
We can't raise them by radio.

Why'd they do it? Why?

The markers!
Where the hell
are the markers?

(GUN FIRING)

You stupid maniac,
what are you doing?

So the panel markers
were not in position?

The panel markers
were in position,

but they were not
in the area that we
were holding prisoners.

They were
all over that valley.

What were the markings
on that airplane?

I couldn't see them, sir.

What in the name of God
is going on here?

I don't know,
but you better get down, sir!

(GUN FIRING)

(SCREAMING)

Captain!

Radio them... Tell them...

Can't raise them, sir.

Our radios were set at 133.8,

by pre-arrangement with
the ground forces for whom
we were flying support.

It's not surprising
the Fifth Marines
couldn't raise us,

since they didn't know
what frequency we were on.

And how did you
happen to be split off

from the rest
ofthe squadron, Lieutenant?

CARTER:
After dropping my ordnance,

the Major ordered me
to fly high cover.

The wind at my assigned
altitude was in excess
40 knots out of the west,

and it carried me
over the Sengai Valley.

Major, I got ground activity
at Sector 118, looks like
it could be trouble.

GREG: Take a run, Carter,
get a closer look.

Hard to tell what's
going on down there, Major.

There's a war going on
down there, Carter,

and if it wouldn't be
too much trouble, maybe
you could lend a hand with it.

CARTER: You saying
lshould attack, Major?

I want you to drop flowers.

GREG: Come on, Jim,
let's show them what
these planes are made for.

Getting to the boys
in the valley? Blast it!

SAWYER: So Major Boyington
ordered you to attack,

despite the fact you weren't
sure what was really happening
in the valley?

Yes, sir.

Only I couldn't do it.

CARTER: So when [came over
the valley the second time...

Major, those are
friendly troops down there!

CASE Y.’ Friendly troops?
Pull up, you guys.

BOYLE: Break off!
You don't give orders
up here, ldo.

But Greg,
if they're friendly...

Do what I tell you to!

Major, there are some
panel markers down there!

GREG: Carter, you get upstairs
and stay there,
on radio silence!

l'll settle with you
on the ground.

The rest ofyou guys,
follow me in!

(GUN FIRING)

Isn't it true, Major,
that you never personally
liked Ted Carter?

Resented having him
in your unit,

and felt that by recommending

psychiatric observation of him
following the incident,

that you could protect
yourself by using
Carter as a scapegoat?

I object, Colonel.
That's a leading question.

I'd like to answer that
question, if it's all right
with you.

No, I never liked
Carter personally,

but he was
a member of my unit,

I supported him just like
I supported anyone else.

And when he radioed me that
he was getting ground fire
from the Sengai Valley...

CARTER: Major, l'm receiving
ground fire over
the north end of the valley.

Are you hit?
Affirm.

Looks like a company
of friendlies pinned down
in the mouth of the valley.

I could use some help.

GREG: Jim, T.J.,
can you see his position?

Negative, Greg. He must
be on the reverse side
of the hill.

Carter, come up to angels one,
we'll rendezvous.

I led the squadron over
to assist him.

When a pilot's in trouble,
you don't question his
judgment.

You try and help him.

GREG: [see your position,
Carter, where's
the ground fire coming from?

Why don't I lead you in,
Major?

Roger.

(GUN FIRING)

Jim, you guys see
a panel marker down there?

There's one down there,
[just saw it.

Abort! Abort!
Everybody upstairs!

What're you talking about?

GUTTERMAN: Those are
friendlies down there, Carter!

You're crazy! I'm going down.

GREG: Carter!

Carter, get upstairs.

Major, those are friendlies
pinned down there.

Maybe you won't do
anything about it but I will.

[gave you an order,
Lieutenant!

Jim,

keep everybody up here
and keep them frosty.

I'm going down after Carter.

Carter, you don't follow
orders and get upstairs,

I'm personally gonna blow you
out of the sky!
You got that, Lieutenant?

(GUN FIRING)

Carter, the y're friendly.
Don 't fire!

(GUN FIRING)

Carter!

Carter! Carter!

Lieutenant Carter
made the final pass
with me behind him.

Then I escorted him up

and I ordered him to
stay with the squadron.

And then I made one last pass.

To verify the friendly
position we'd attacked.

Major,

how do you account
for the discrepancies

between your version
ofthe incident
and Lieutenant Carter's?

I can't account for it, sir.

Two weeks ago, Lieutenant,

the aircraft that you were
flying was shot down

off the coast of Choiseul.

You were in the water 14 hours

before Air Sea Rescue
picked you up.
Is that right?

That's right.

When you got back
to your squadron...

Do you remember your
first mission after
you were rescued?

What about it?

A Zero was shot down,
the pilot bailed out.

What did you do
after you saw the parachute?

VVhy?

Answer the question,
Lieutenant.

We were off the coast
of Bougainville.

I knew the pilot would be
picked up, alive,

uninjured,

able to fly against us
the next day.

So what did you do?

Isn't it true that
you dove on the parachute

and Major Boyington
had to order you to stop?

What was your intention?
To kill the Japanese pilot?

That's right.

Are you aware that
that's in violation
ofthe Geneva Accord?

(EXHALES)

What does it feel like to be
in the cockpit during combat,
Lieutenant?

What's that supposed to mean?

Are you frightened?

This is a ridiculous line
of questioning.

ELLIS: Is it?

How would you know?
Have you ever been in combat?

Colonel, what is the purpose
ofthese questions?

To establish Lieutenant
Carter's state of mind
at the Sengai incident.

Lieutenant Carter is
not on trial here.

That's right.
Major Boyington is.

(SIGHS)

Colonel...

(EXHALES)

This isn't
a court of law where

skilled lawyers fence
with each other
for semantic points.

A military career
is on trial here. A career
that's worth saving.

But I can't prove that to you,

lam just a lawyer that
wears a uniform,
I'm not a soldier.

lt's provided
in the Navy courts and boards

that the defendant in
a court-martial can conduct

his own cross-examination
of a witness.

With your permission,

I would like Major Boyington
to take over questioning
Lieutenant Carter.

We'll have a 10 minute recess.

What did you pull out of your
sleeve? I'm not the lawyer,
you're the lawyer.

It's a stall .

A stall? What for?

Beats it out of me, Major.

We are dying in there.

We're dying in there?
I'm the one that's
got to die in there.

Look, I can badger that kid
and use legal tricks on him
all day

but what does that prove?
That I'm a good lawyer?

I've got to prove you're
a good commanding officer.

Put us up there.
We'll tell them.

Oh, sure. With service records
like yours? Not a chance.

Pappy!

Courier plane was late,
but he made it.

Hey, Sarge,
you got all dressed up.

Ain't he beautiful?

You wanna find out how
I earned some of fruit salad,
sonny?

Not now.
Thanks for coming, Sarge.

I got 20 airplanes lined up.

No one to fly.
I want you back at work.

I found five.

Am I gonna be able
to smoke in there?

You may not have to
go in there, Sergeant.
These are what I need.

And the affidavit.

This pilot of yours,
is he any good?

T.J.?

He's one of my best.

(ALL LAUGHING)

If you ever want to
get rid of him,
send him to me.

I could make a lawyer
out of him.

Now let's see what!
can do with Teddy Carter.

Major, you have the court's
permission to proceed.

That won't be necessary,
Colonel. I'll continue
questioning Lieutenant Carter.

I understood...
With the court's permission.

All right, get on with it.

I never fired on the valley.

I refused to fire.

I saw they were
friendly troops.

Then they wouldn't have
fired at you?

Why would they have
fired at me?

Oh, that is a good question,
Lieutenant.

Colonel,

these bullets

taken from the underside of

Lieutenant Carter's aircraft
following the Sengai mission.

This is a sworn statement
by the man who found them,

Sergeant Andy Micklin,
maintenance chief for the 214.

You see those bullets were
fired from an M! rifle, as
Sergeant Micklin has verified.

The question is,

why would our troops
have fired at
Lieutenant Carter's aircraft

unless Lieutenant Carter
was firing at them?

You did fire at them,
didn't you?

No. They were friendly troops.

We know that now.

But at the time
you radioed Major Boyington,

you thought you'd seen
enemy troops.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

You radioed Major Boyington
for assistance. Why?

I told you, I saw...

Panel markers.
asked him
what I was supposed to do.

What color were the markers?

I don't know...ye
low.
They were orange.

All right, orange.
What did you
really see in that valley?

Panel markers.
Friendly troops.

But you received ground fire.

I didn't say that.

There were bullets
in your aircraft.

How many times do l
have to repeat myself?

l was over the valley.

I saw activity and I went
down to see what it was.

When I was coming in
over the hills I saw...

What did you see?

I saw troops. Our troops.

I reported it. I reported it.

I saw the enemy.

And uh...

I mean, the panel markers

and the prisoners.

(GUN FIRING)
GREG: Jim, do you see
a panel marker down there?

GUTTERMAN:
There is one down there.

Abort! Abort!
Everybody upstairs!

CARTER: You're crazy!
GREG:
...panel marker down there?

Abort! Abort!

Abort! Abort!

Abort!

I tried to tell you...
I tried to tell you

what was happening.

ltold him I saw
the enemy down there,

the prisoners,
I saw the prisoners.

And he told me...

He told me to attack and there
wasn't any time to confirm.

Maybe the panel markers
were there,

but the enemy could have taken
the position after
the panel markers were there.

And they could have been
wearing the American uniforms.

(LAUGHS)

It is a war, isn't it?

Ain't no rules in a war?

You think Hitler's playing
a parlor game? Stalin?

(SIGHS)

You know...

I don't know
what you want from me.

Am I supposed to take down
the name and address

of every
Japanese soldier
see?

Am I?

(SNIFFLES)

I think we ought to
have a 10 minute recess.

No, Colonel,
I think we have to hear this.

And we're going to, proceed.

I think we ought to
leave this boy alone.

Whether Carter ever fired
at friendly troops

really isn't important,

troops were fired at,
there were casualties.

It shouldn't have happened,
but it did.

I think Ted Carter saw
enemy troops
in the Sengai Valley

firing at him
and acted accordingly.

There were no enemy troops
firing at him but Carter
believed there were.

It wasn't an error
in judgment,
it was a delusion.

None of us will ever be sure
what Ted Carter saw that day.

Carter himself, he's not
even sure what he saw.

But Carter isn't
on trial here,

as Captain Sawyer
pointed out.

Major Boyington is.

Carter asked his
commanding officer
for assistance

and Major Boyington
gave him assistance.

As a result, Major Boyington

fired on friendly troops.

When he realized it,
he aborted the attack,

brought his squadron home
and reported
what had happened.

Can any of you

say you wouldn't have
done the same thing

if one of your men
were in trouble,

whether that trouble was real

or imaginary.

Should that constitute
dereliction of duty
as a squadron commander,

is up to you to decide.

(SIGHS)

Well?

I don't know.

Anybody's got a smoke?

Thanks, Jim.

Carter's...

GREG NARRA TING:
I did know one thing.

Ted Carter was due for
a long spell with the doctors,

and I doubt he had quite
the future ahead ofhim
his father had hoped for.

lhadn't liked doing
what I did to him,

he deserved rest and care,

but maybe at last
he was going to get it.

Major,

they dropped the charges.

(CHATTERING)