Season 1: Episode 14: Under Siege

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1 Overview
2 Episode Summary
3 Transcript (see transcript listing)
4 Song Listing (see full series listing)
5 Trivia
6 Favorite Quotes

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Overview

Directed by: Stephen L. Posey
Story by: Steve Bello
Teleplay by: Steve Bello and Robert Burns Clark

Guest Stars: Kristoffer Tabori ... Capt. Larry Heath; Bruce Gray ... Col. Dalby

Also Starring: Ched Parrott ... Caldwell

Original Air Date: 11 February 1988

Title Card: "I am absolutely certain that, whereas in 1965 the enemy was winning, today he is losing. The enemy's hopes are bankrupt."

Gen. William C. Westmoreland
November 21, 1967

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Episode Summary

We have a difficult time understanding the war zealot, and in this story we come to dislike him. Here we find a desk jockey from the comforts of Saigon coming to the remote Camp Ladybird Bravo company hell bent on winning war trophies. It is not an ambition that is understood even by those who are ambitiously driven.

In all wars leading up to the Vietnam war, there were rules of engagement that worked. War could be studied and enemies could be predictable, and this became a trap for many a career soldier. What worked in WWII often did NOT work in Southeast Asia.

In this story we see the embarrassment of the ambitious career officer when the lower ranking men of the war knows more and are often right. The notorious autonomy of the military officer over all those under him can be a dangerous thing. Many officers cannot handle opposition and any question or disagreement is blatant opposition and will not be tolerated.

Tour of Duty was cancelled after three short years and I feel this story was one of the main reasons why. The greatest, most fearsome military might in the world lost the war in Vietnam and America cannot handle this failure. Tour of Duty showed us that the studied war scholars did not know how to win the war in Vietnam. And they almost lost Camp Ladybird! (By Ernest Johnson)

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Transcript (see transcript listing)

Excerpt from [5:34] The New Captain's Stuff

RUIZ: This new captain must be really wired to snag all this stuff.

HORN: You don't spend a year on General Woodman's staff in Saigon and not have your act together, Roo.

TAYLOR: Yeah, this guy, he's definitely okay in my book.

BAKER: Nancy Sinatra, man. Look at that mini-skirt!

BAKER & TAYLOR: Whoooo-hoooo!

RUIZ: The captain!

HEATH: At ease. You know, I know a guy in Special Services who's gonna send us all the most recent releases as soon as they come in. In case you don't know, my previous post was on General Woodman's staff in Saigon. I had a nice big desk, nice big air-conditioned office, and I gave it up to come here. I fought to come here. You know why?

TAYLOR: You could be crazy.

HEATH: Because we have a chance to make history, gentlemen. We have a chance to end this war. Hanoi needs a victory. We're gonna get in his way. We're gonna scour this entire valley, so when Charlie tries to make his move, we're gonna be there, we're gonna know about it, and we're gonna break his neck. The risks are great. But the rewards, gentlemen, are greater. Bravo Company is gonna become the meanest, toughest, and most effective fighting unit in Vietnam. You men are soldiers, and as soldiers, your job, what you're being paid for, is to grease dinks. You should be encouraged to do so. So what we're gonna do is we're gonna give you a bonus when you do a good job. From now on, every month, the squad with the most kills get a week in R and R at Vung Tau, premier beach in Vietnam.

SOLDIERS [background]: Right on! Did you hear that? Premier beach...

HEATH: Carry on, gentlemen.

TAYLOR: Now, there's a man with ideas. I think I like this dude.

Read the full transcript

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