Season 1: Episode 4: War Lover
From Bravo 3/44th
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Contents |
Overview
- Directed by
- Jim Johnston
- Written by
- Rick Husky
- Guest Stars
- William Russ ... Sgt. Earl Ray Michaels
- Zaid Farid ... Spc. James
- Also Starring
- Janis Forgetta ... Woman
- Andrew Dupree (as Andy Dupree) ... G.I.
- George O'Hanlon ... Lt. Ferguson
- Tim Wagner ... Capt. Lewis
- Sidney Milburn ... Jones
- Mike Ebner ... Sgt. Boyle
- Marc Bossley (as Marc Bosslee) ... Medic
- Original Air Date
- 15 October 1987
- Title Card
- A Soldier in Vietnam had one chance in 55 of being killed during his Tour of Duty...
Episode Summary
This is a story about the over-confident, zealous, slightly insane war monger of the Vietnam war. Earl Ray was a hot dog Sergeant dogging the war for personal glory and maybe even revenge. However, his unique approach to war is acceptable for Ladybird's Capt. Wallace and Earl Ray is positioned over the mission above Goldman, the platoon officer. There is some bad blood between Zeke and Earl Ray. The incident left several persons dead, and Zeke is still resentful. Zeke is a good soldier and works with Earl Ray in his professional manner. The mission is to destroy a bridge on one of the many Ho Chi Minh trails that ran from North Vietnam to South Vietnam. These supply routes were used to transport tanks; supplies; arms; and ammunitions to the VC and NVA in Laos, Cambodia, and South Vietnam. The issue of who to trust is uppermost in the story. Do you trust your officers; fellow cadre; the locals; and even a little girl? How do you deal with the incredible losses in obtaining the objectives of war that can be either victory or failure? Tour of Duty deals with the important issues of the Vietnam war in an honest straightforward manner. This story is just one of those issues. (Ernest Johnson)
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Transcript (see transcript listing)
Excerpt from scene [6:03 / 6:02] Outside the Chopper
ANDERSON: All right, where's the cowboy that came in on this chopper?
LAM: Nobody's supposed to be near the aircraft, Sergeant. Classified cargo.
ANDERSON: Where are your pilots at?
LAM: Well, Mr. Marks is over talking to Battalion. Says he won't touch this bird again 'til all his gear's off-loaded.
ANDERSON: Who was your other passenger?
JAMES: Sergeant Earl Ray Michaels.
JAMES: Fifth Special Forces, Nha Trang.
PERCELL: Michaels? That's who's on this chopper?
TAYLOR: So what?
PERCELL: So I heard of 'im. He's a myth. They say he's a legend.
TAYLOR: They also say he's a stone-cold killer.
JAMES: They say right, brother. I'm Leroy James. Earl Ray's vice president in charge of demolitions.
JOHNSON: So what business you got here?
JAMES: On a mission, my man. Classified.
Song Listing (see full series listing)
- Your Precious Love (N. Ashford/V. Simpson). Performed by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell. United. Motown, 1967.
Scene: In the barracks hootch, the men talk about Marvin, Tammi, and Charlie.
Buy Song / Listen via iTunes
- We Gotta Get Out of This Place (B. Mann/C. Weil). Performed by The Animals. Animal Tracks [US]. MGM, 1965.
Scene: The choppers going out on mission, the platoon slogging through the river and into the jungle.
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- What's Going On (R. Benson/A. Cleveland/M. Gaye). Performed by Marvin Gaye. What's Going On. Motown, 1971.
Scene: As the choppers come to pick up the men at the LZ, Earl Ray wonders what difference he's made.
Buy Song / Listen via iTunes
Trivia
- Horn, Roger
- keeps a journal, might publish it
- Ruiz, Alberto
- smokes
- has a leeching brother-in-law
- was probably drafted
- Taylor, Marcus
- likes R&B music. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, dig it!
Favorite Quotes
ANDERSON: He's a new breed of soldier. He's a thinker.
MICHAELS: This guy a good officer?
ANDERSON: It's too early to tell.
GOLDMAN: Damn it, Anderson!
RUIZ: Man, I gotta' get me some of that for my brother-in-law. We're talking bloodsucker, man. Dracula in a '57 Chevy.
ANDERSON: Bein' around you is like bein' a hitchhiker in a hailstorm.
MICHAELS: I learned a long time ago none of us are walkin' in the sun.
MICHAELS: War's what I know! Trained to kill, I can't teach it! Hell, I don't wanna teach anybody to do this.
Screenshots (see Screenshots page)
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