Transcript: (1x14) Under Siege

From Bravo 3/44th

Directed by: Stephen L. Posey

Story by: Steve Bello

Teleplay by: Steve Bello and Robert Burns Clark

See the Episode Guide

[1:46] Early Morning at Camp Ladybird

SOLDIERS [o.s.]: Incoming! Take cover! Fire!

RUIZ: You okay, Baker? Come on, let's go. Come on, come on.

[2:20] Get On The Horn, Horn!

GOLDMAN: What the hell kind of gun is that?

HORN: I'm not sure, but the Forward Observer said it may be something like Russian-made heavy artillery.

ANDERSON: Hey, Charlie's gonna level this firebase if Division Artillery doesn't shut his guns down.

GOLDMAN: We don't know where the gun is. Any sign of a probe?

ANDERSON: No, not yet, but we're taking casualties, LT. I mean, this place wasn't designed to take this kind of pounding.

HORN: Sir, we got a chopper coming in.

GOLDMAN: Well order him off.

HORN: I did, he told me to bug off!

[2:47] We Have Big Bullets

MORTAR CREW: Ready? Fire! Ready? Fire!

SOLDIERS [o.s.]: Are you sure, sir? . . . Hold your fire, there's a chopper coming in!

ANDERSON: Get that wing wiper outta here!

ANDERSON: I don't know who that sucker is, but if he tries that again, I'll blow him out of the sky myself.

[3:44] That Sucker Lands

HEATH: Lieutenant Goldman? I'm Captain Larry Heath. I'm here to assume command of Bravo Company.

GOLDMAN: Sir, I wasn't expecting you 'til Monday.

HEATH: Well when I heard about the heat, I decided to jump in a little early. I spotted some muzzle flashes from the chopper, I think I know where those big guns are located. Where's the CP? Come on, on the double, gentlemen!

[4:10] A New Captain In Camp

HEATH: Feed this coordinate to Artillery: alpha-lima-one-niner-seven-seven-eight-zero.

HORN: Alpha-lima-one-niner-seven-seven-eight-zero.

REDLEG [v.o.]: Roger—

GOLDMAN: Keep that line open to the chopper pilot.

REDLEG [v.o.]: One fired.

HORN: Redleg confirms one fired for range.

GOLDMAN: Artillery on the way.

PILOT [v.o.]: Redleg, this is the chopper. Your initial round landed two hundred meters south of the target.

REDLEG [v.o.]: Roger, chopper.

HEATH: Okay, adjust and fire for effect.

HORN: Adjust and fire for effect.

REDLEG [v.o.]: Roger, we copy.

[4:39] Adjust & Fire For Effect

PILOT [v.o.]: A good shot, Redleg, you dropped it right down Charlie's tailpipe. You won't be hearing from those guys anymore, Bravo Six.

GOLDMAN: Welcome to Firebase Ladybird, sir.

HEATH: Just doing my job, Lieutenant.

[5:00] Let The Clean Up Begin

[5:20] The Natives Are Restless

GOLDMAN: What do you make of that?

ANDERSON: Well they're definitely scared of somethin'. Look at them, they're carrying everythin' they own.

GOLDMAN: Let's go have a talk with the captain.

[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 miniskirt!

BAKER/TAYLOR: Whoooo-hoooo!

RUIZ: Oooh—the captain, 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 & R at Vung Tau, premier beach in Vietnam.

SOLDIERS [o.s.]: 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.

[7:33] We Are Still Vulnerable, Sir

GOLDMAN: Sir... Excuse me, sir.

HEATH: What is it, Lieutenant?

GOLDMAN: Well, sir, I think you're right about Charlie making his big move. Did you see the refugees outside the wire?

HEATH: Obviously something's about ready to jump off.

ANDERSON: Yes, sir. I just hope the captain realizes our defenses here still need a lotta work. I mean, the perimeter wire's never been finished. We still need tanglefoot and about ten or twelve rolls of chicken wire out there.

HEATH: We're not building a farm here, Sergeant.

ANDERSON: Yes, sir, I'm aware of that. I'm also aware of what happened to the French at Dien Bien Phu.

HEATH: Well, as I'm sure you realize, the nature of warfare has changed dramatically since Dien Bien Phu. We're protected twenty-four hours a day by the most sophisticated system in military history. I just hope that Charlie is foolish enough to attack this base. And in the meantime, we're not gonna dig in here like a bunch of gophers.

ANDERSON: Yessir.

[8:33] Well Now, Gophers!

ANDERSON: Well now. What d'ya make of this fella?

GOLDMAN: Well he may be a general someday, but he's dead wrong about our defenses.

ANDERSON: I heard that. Look, LT, I'd like to get 3rd squad busy digging those trenches right away.

GOLDMAN: Well dig quietly. I'll try and cover you.

ANDERSON: Alright. I hope our lives don't get in the way of his ambition.

[8:56] Dig That Ditch, Soldier!

RUIZ: So how many bonus points per foot do we get for this job, huh?

JOHNSON: Somewhere between zero and none.

RUIZ: Yeah, next thing they'll be wanting us to sing one of those songs that goes "Doo Dah, Doo Dah."

[9:23] Doc's Got 15 & A Wake-up

MATSUDA: Guys, water break.

PERCELL: Alright.

TAYLOR: Alright.

PERCELL: Gimme that.

TAYLOR: So how many days you got left, Doc?

MATSUDA: I got fifteen and a wake-up.

PERCELL: Wow, that's great. What are you gonna do when you're a civilian, Doc?

MATSUDA: Oh man, I can't even think that far down the road. I already reenlisted.

TAYLOR: You what?

MATSUDA: I reenlisted. See, they got this new program. I get an Army scholarship to medical school, and I serve the rest of my time after I graduate.

ANDERSON: Yeah, Doc, you're the only guy I know who's gonna get out of this mess with more than scars on your tail.

PERCELL: Ah, that's alright. I bet your parents are real proud, eh?

MATSUDA: Yeah, they are. See, they were both in internment camps during World War II. Lost everything. House, everything. My dad keeps saying get all the education you can. Said they can't steal that from ya.

TAYLOR: You know, a doctor gig wouldn't be that bad. You get to write the prescription for all the dangerous drugs you want. You get a slew of nurses chasing after you, and all you gotta do is re-up for six years. I would not do that, Doc.

PERCELL: He's got a point. Go away.

MATSUDA: See you guys.

TAYLOR: Think about it, Doc. Think about it!

[10:21] Old Man's Surprise Inspection

HEATH: Sergeant, what's going on here?

ANDERSON: Well, I took it upon myself to get some trenches dug, and we strung some wire up along the berm there.

HEATH: Who gave you the orders?

GOLDMAN: Sir, I, uh, gave the sergeant the orders.

HEATH: I thought these men were scheduled to go on reconnaissance of the valley floor, but obviously they're too busy here digging ditches. Send out another squad.

GOLDMAN: Yessir.

HEATH: I wanna see you in the CP in an hour.

GOLDMAN: Yessir.

GOLDMAN: Santucci! Get your men! Saddle up!

[11:07] Let's Talk Chain of Command

HEATH: Apparently we have different ideas about the chain of command.

GOLDMAN: I don't know what you mean, sir.

HEATH: You don't know what I mean? The platoon sergeant seems to have an inordinate influence on the decision making around here.

GOLDMAN: The platoon sergeant is on his third combat tour, and I'm proud to say I've learned a lot from him. I think the hallmark of any good officer is to be willing to listen.

HEATH: I'm listening, Lieutenant.

GOLDMAN: Sir, we need to fortify this base—

HEATH: I'm not against shoring up Ladybird's defenses. On the contrary, I want that done as quickly as our limited manpower will permit. Is that clear?

GOLDMAN: Yessir.

HEATH: But every command has its priorities, and ours are aggressive patrol and reconnaissance. Is that clear?

GOLDMAN: Yessir.

HEATH: What we need are confirmed sightings of enemy troop movement. Charlie's intent—and intelligence reports confirm this—is to use this valley for a surprise attack on Da Nang and Chu Lai.

GOLDMAN: Well, if that's the case, sir, they're not going to bypass Ladybird. They'd be leaving an active firebase to the rear.

HEATH: Now, you listen to me. Charlie cannot afford an attack on this base; it'd use up his assets, it'd slow him down, it'd lead to certain annihilation. He will pass us by. Am I getting through to you, Lieutenant?

GOLDMAN: Yes, sir.

HEATH: Good. Lieutenant, you and I have gotten off to a bumpy start. I regret that.

GOLDMAN: I do too, sir.

HEATH: I'm on the fast track, here, Lieutenant. The opportunities for advancement have never been greater. I know we can work together. I'm sure of it.

[13:00] Somethin' Ain't Right

PERCELL: Sarge, someone's gonna have to get us some more wire.

PERCELL: Wow, Santucci's squad got themselves a prisoner.

ANDERSON: Something ain't right.

ANDERSON: Hold it right there, now.

ANDERSON: Where's your squad leader? Where's Santucci?

HEATH: What's the problem?

GOLDMAN: I don't know, sir.

HEATH: What's he doing? Is he out of his mind?

SOLDIERS: [speaking in Vietnamese]

SOLDIERS: [speaking in Vietnamese] (literal transl.: Run back over here! Retreat!)

[14:15] Dead Are NVA Troops

ANDERSON: NVA, 409th regular infantry.

HEATH: Charlie's starting to make his move. Last report on this unit, they were north of Hanoi. He's playing right into our hands.

GOLDMAN: What the hell were they doing that close to the base?

HEATH: Oh, probably wanted to have a firsthand look at us. Once they start their move through the valley, they'll have to keep us bottled up.

ANDERSON: Or run us over.

HEATH: I know how these people think. This base is of no strategic importance to them.

JOHNSON: Hey, maybe Santucci's still alive.

HEATH: We'd better send out another patrol. See what happened to them.

GOLDMAN: Yessir.

HEATH: That was damn good shooting, Sergeant. I'm gonna give 3rd squad credit for three kills.

HEATH: This'll look very good in General Woodman's trophy case.

[15:16] Get Your Squad, Anderson

GOLDMAN: You get your squad, Anderson. Let's get it done.

ANDERSON: Johnson, come on.

[15:58] Slowly Through Tall Grass

TAYLOR: Baker, what are you doin'?

BAKER: I thought I saw something.

TAYLOR: Hey, come on, man.

BAKER: Look, I want that weekend at the beach.

TAYLOR: Man, my butt's dragging too low for an incentive program.

MATSUDA: Baker, you alright?

BAKER: I'm sick, man.

MATSUDA: Did you take your salt tablets? Drink some water, come on.

ANDERSON: What's the problem, here?

MATSUDA: He's dehydrated, Sarge. We gotta get him out of the sun.

ANDERSON: What, are you crazy or somethin', Baker? You're packing enough ammo to break down a mule in this heat.

MATSUDA: He wants to go surfing awful bad.

ANDERSON: Oh yeah? Let me tell you somethin'. This incentive program's gonna get some people killed, here.

RUIZ: Hey, Sarge! Take a look at this.

ANDERSON: Baker, you take some of that off.

MATSUDA: Here, not too much.

[16:53] Sarge Look At This

ANDERSON: What do you got, blood?

RUIZ: No, blood's darker and you can smell it.

ANDERSON: It's cosmoline.

RUIZ: Is that grease or something?

ANDERSON: Well, not exactly. The, uh, NVA use this stuff to protect their weapons in transit. Rockets and mortars, mostly.

TAYLOR: Got more of it over here, Sarge.

ANDERSON: Yeah? And look, see the tire tracks? They must've moved a whole weapons platoon through here. They never clean this stuff off till they're ready to fire.

JOHNSON: Sarge! You bettter get up here.

ANDERSON: Latrines. I wouldn't be surprised if a whole company bivouacked here last night. Any sign of Santucci's squad?

JOHNSON: Nuthin'.

ANDERSON: Alright, you guys. We could be gettin' in over our heads here. I want every one of you at a hundred percent. Let's move out.

[17:39] Move Out At A Hundred Percent

MATSUDA: Sarge... Santucci.

ANDERSON: Alright, keep your eyes open and your mouths shut. Percell, you and me, we stick to the trail. The rest of you fan out. Come on.

[18:51] Danny Makes A Gruesome Discovery

PERCELL: Sarge? Sarge... Sarge! Sarge! Sarge!

RUIZ: Santucci.

JOHNSON: Oh man, I'm gonna be sick.

RUIZ: Let's get the hell outta here, Sarge.

ANDERSON: No, we gotta cut 'em down.

[21:07] We Withdrew Sir

HEATH: So, you turned tail and ran?

ANDERSON: No, sir, we withdrew. Hell, they could have nailed us anytime they wanted to.

HEATH: How many did you see?

ANDERSON: Believe me, sir, they're out there. I mean, they wanted us to find those bodies.

HEATH: Did you take any fire?

ANDERSON: No, sir, they're trying to spook us. I mean, we— There were tracks everywhere, we came across a bivouac—

HEATH: Your job... What you're being paid for, is to find the enemy, notify me so I can call in air and artillery support.

ANDERSON: I wasn't gonna risk my men's lives any further. I mean, we got the proof we need—

HEATH: I can't go to General Woodman with a greasy rag! I need concrete, conclusive evidence that the enemy is moving through this sector!

ANDERSON: Well we need more men.

HEATH: No, what we need is competent leadership! What we need is a certain kind of aggressiveness and if you're not up to the job—

[22:06] Attention, All GI's In Bravo

NVA [on loud-speaker]: Attention! Attention all GI in Bravo Company. You are surrounded by the People's Army of North Vietnam. You have no chance. You must surrender now, or you will die!

[22:24] Incoming! Again

NVA [on loud-speaker]: Put down your arms, GI. Why do you fight LBJ's unjust and immoral war?

PERCELL: How long can this go on?

RUIZ: 'Til Charlie runs out of ammo, I guess.

PERCELL: Yeah, but what's he up to? I mean this has been going on and off all day long.

NVA [on loud-speaker]: You are victims of capitalist oppression. Look around you; there are no sons of the ruling elite fighting at your side.

BAKER: That's bull, man! What about Horn? He, he went to college, right?

[23:03] You Are Surrounded

NVA [on loud-speaker]: You are surrounded. Unless you surrender, you only have a few hours to live!

[23:18] Taylor Say, Get Down, Bad Boys!

HORN: You're on air, baby.

TAYLOR: Get down! You singin' the wrong tune, chop mouth! That's right, you the ones better surrender, you little sawed-off fish head suckers! That's right, this is your last chance, or you're all gonna look like leftovers from a razor fight at a chitlins supper!

TAYLOR: Hey. Hey, Chief, come here, come here. Come here. Say somethin' about Ho Chi Minh's mama.

ARVN SCOUT: [speaking in Vietnamese](rough transl.: You cowards, get a clue. Your Uncle Ho is a bag full of dumb, got that?)

NVA [on loud-speaker]: [cursing in Vietnamese](rough transl.: You, you dog! A born dog like you will die soon! We'll, we'll feed you to the dogs!)

TAYLOR: Way to go, man.

HORN: You did pretty good. He didn't even add any translations. We messed them up, huh?

[24:09] More Angry Incoming!

TAYLOR: Alright, fish heads, this is Radio Ladybird—

NVA [on loud-speaker]: No more joke, GI. Tonight, you die!

[24:19] Almost Out Of Water

ANDERSON: Are we out of water?

PERCELL: We're close.

ANDERSON: Yeah, we're running low on ammo for the mortars, too.

HEATH: To your health, soldier. Pass it around.

HEATH: Now, I know you guys are concerned about fireworks and the shortage of ammo and water. Just got off the horn with Brigade. Resupply's on its way. And as for the shelling, it's not a prelude to an assault on this base. Charlie's intention is to harass us and to pin us down. Nuthin' more. Charlie is playing right into our hands. His big move is under way. As soon as we've pinpointed his troop concentrations, our fighter bombers and our artillery will waste him.

Gentlemen, what's happening right here in this valley could lead directly to the end of the war. We've set in motion a great historical event. You're gonna be proud to tell your grandchildren you were here. Now keep your chins up and your heads down. You'll be alright. You got my word on that.

[25:47] Your Word Is Boom, Sir!

GOLDMAN: Cover!

HEATH: Alright, men, take cover! Take your positions, come on, come on! Battle positions!

MORTAR CREW: It's set. Hang one. Fire!

[26:20] Dug In

GOLDMAN: Percell. Well, we've only got about ten gallons left. That's if the dinks didn't hit the barrels in the last few minutes.

ANDERSON: Just keep your chin up and your head down, LT, and we'll be alright.

GOLDMAN: Yeah, right.

[26:45] Horn, The Runnin' Radio Man

HORN: Sir! Sir, it's a secure net. It's Colonel Dalby from General Woodman's staff.

HEATH: This is Bravo Six, over.

DALBY: What's happening, Six?

HEATH: We're receiving heavy firepower, sir. We need immediate counter artillery support.

DALBY: We got problems all over. There's a mortar attack on your direct support artillery base. Their headquarters and the fire direction center are off the air.

HEATH: What about TAC air?

DALBY: Negative. Your air cover has been preempted by an attack on Long Vi (?). It's a mess. We got action everywhere.

HEATH: Sir, we need some help up here.

DALBY: Do the best you can, Larry. We'll get you something as soon as it's available.

HEATH: Yes, sir.

HEATH: Don't worry. He'll get us some support. Even if he has to go all the way up to General Woodman.

[27:42] Danny Moves The Wounded

PERCELL: Caldwell... Caldwell! You hang in there, Teddy. You hang in there, you're gonna be alright. Come on, now, come on.

CALDWELL: My glasses, my glasses...

PERCELL: Teddy, quit your screamin', you're gonna make it! Here, Doc!

MATSUDA: Take him to the bunkers, we're moving everybody there.

PERCELL: Come on, Doc, he's in a lot of pain—

MATSUDA: Hey, I'm out of morphine. Let's go!

[28:16] Here Comes Our Resupply

HEATH: What did I tell you, Lieutenant? Here comes our resupply. Should be plenty of ammo in there besides water.

PILOT: Bravo Six, we're coming in hot. We're taking heavy machine gun fire! We're hit, we're hit! We're turning back. Good luck, Bravo Six!

HEATH: They dropped it outside the wire.

ANDERSON: Captain, if we don't get that ammo, we're gonna be throwin' rocks at Charlie.

HEATH: We'll cover you.

ANDERSON: Let's go!

[28:58] Get Ammo Or Throw Rocks

ANDERSON: Grab it and go! Grab it and go! Gotta go!

ANDERSON: Go, go, go!

GOLDMAN: Come on!

HEATH: Give 'em some cover! Burn the mountain!

GOLDMAN: Sir, that's a waste of ammo; they're out of range—

HEATH: Cover fire!

ANDERSON: Get outta here! Get outta here!

HEATH: Nice work, Sergeant; you got most of it.

[29:42] Useless Ammo, Sir

GOLDMAN: These are useless in our tubes.

ANDERSON: This is sixty millimeter, we need eighty-one.

[30:04] What's The Name of That Creek?

BAKER: What was the name of that creek somebody said we were up?

[30:25] Here's For Luck, Doc

TAYLOR: Hey, Randy...

MATSUDA: Yeah?

MATSUDA: What's this for?

TAYLOR: My grandmother gave it to me. It's supposed to bring you good luck.

MATSUDA: So why you giving it to me?

TAYLOR: 'Cause I can tell you're going to be a big successful doctor some day. I just wanted you to know, if only one of us makes it out of here alive, I... I'd rather it be you.

JOHNSON: If we bury it, at least the gooks won't be able to get our stuff.

[31:45] Listen Up Here, Ya'll

RUIZ: You know, I started writing my mom in English. It's gonna be hard enough for her to understand this in Spanish, Sarge.

ANDERSON: Alright, y'all, now, listen up, here. I want you to take one of your dog tags and stick it inside your boot. Alright?

PERCELL: Sarge...

ANDERSON: Yeah?

PERCELL: We don't have a chance, do we?

ANDERSON: Oh yes, we do, Percell. There's always a chance. You'll be alright. Hey, Ruiz... Now, when this is over, I want you to get yourself a haircut, you hear me?

RUIZ: I ain't ready for this, Sarge.

ANDERSON: Oh, man, nobody is, you know?

[32:36] Where Is Our Help, Sir

HEATH: What about the support you promised me? Where the hell are they?

DALBY: They've been diverted to a hot spot up north.

HEATH: Is General Woodman aware of the situation?

DALBY: Affirmative. You know the problem as well as I do, Larry; we couldn't commit air and artillery to your sector without a confirmed target. We're taking heat everywhere. I'll get back to you.

HEATH: Yessir.

GOLDMAN: What are your orders, sir?

HEATH: Orders? What do you need orders for?

GOLDMAN: For the defense of the firebase. The enemy will attack tonight.

HEATH: If the sergeant had followed my orders to begin with, we wouldn't have been cut off like this.

GOLDMAN: Sir, in all fairness to the sergeant—

HEATH: All Sergeant Anderson had to do was to beat the bushes and flush out a third-rate peasant army! Air artillery would have destroyed them! All you had to do was force the enemy to engage!

ANDERSON: If I would've done that, I would've lost my entire squad.

HEATH: In warfare it's sometimes necessary to take losses in order to gain your objective! If you don't understand that, Sergeant, you're unfit to wear those stripes—!

GOLDMAN: Sir! We're running low on ammunition. We are surrounded, and the enemy is mounting a major assault on this base! Now, what are your orders?

HEATH: There's nothing we can do. This base is lost.

GOLDMAN: Request permission to burn the code books, sir.

HEATH: Go ahead.

[34:11] Burn The Code Books

ANDERSON: LT. Now, I don't care what that man says. We can't just roll over on our backs and die here.

GOLDMAN: We aren't. We still got those mortar shells?

ANDERSON: Yeah, and the C-4 block.

GOLDMAN: Yeah.

ANDERSON: Yeah.

[34:29] Never Say Die!

ANDERSON: Alright, you guys, on your feet. We gotta move. Taylor, you gotta round up some det cord. Baker and Horn, there are a couple buckets of nails over by the mess tent. You go get 'em, pick up any nuts, bolts, anything metal you can get your hands on. Alright, Percell, you and Johnson go help the LT. Come on, come on, come on, we gotta go!

[35:11] Improvise Soldier!

TAYLOR: I got the det cord.

ANDERSON: Alright, guys, we're running out of time. Baker, did you set those gasoline cans like I told you to?

BAKER: Yeah, I got a barrel in every pit in the base.

ANDERSON: Alright, good work. Now, here's a diagram to show you how to rig 'em up. Ruiz, give him a hand.

TAYLOR: Soap suds?

ANDERSON: Yeah, take this detergent with ya. You're gonna need det cord and as many phosphorous grenades as you can get your little hands on, alright? Percell, Horn! Get those mortar shells!

RUIZ: I thought they were the wrong kind.

ANDERSON: We're gonna use 'em, anyway. Now, listen to me, listen close. You're gonna unscrew the fuse, take the fuse out, insert the det cord with a dab of C-4. You screw the fuse back in, you wrap them together with electrical wire, and you sneak out to the perimeter about as far as you can, and you string your electrical wire right back to that little ol' detonator. You got that?

RUIZ: Uh huh.

ANDERSON: You got it? Now, if you don't, tell me now.

RUIZ: I got it. Got it.

ANDERSON: Alright.

TAYLOR: What's goin' on?

ANDERSON: Alright, we're gonna set up three lines of defense. The perimeter, the CP bunker, and a little treat for Charlie if he happens to make it through the first two. Alright, let's do it, come on.

[35:40] Johnson, New Cannoneer

GOLDMAN: Johnson, you're my new cannoneer.

JOHNSON: Yessir, but I ain't got any ammo.

GOLDMAN: Just give me some nails and some wire.

HEATH: There's a relief column on its way.

ANDERSON: When?

HEATH: By daylight.

ANDERSON: Captain, by daylight there ain't gonna be anything left here but elbows and toenails.

HEATH: You'll never understand how the modern army works.

ANDERSON: You got that right.

[36:51] Night & Flares Fall, Are We Ready?

HORN: Last of the water, man. Last of the water, guys. Taylor, Johnson. Last of the water.

HORN: I brought you some water, Sarge.

ANDERSON: Thanks. Did you get some of this? Yeah? Yo, Danny. Better drink up while you can.

[37:51] Waiting For The Next Shoe To Drop

GOLDMAN: You guys okay?

BAKER: Yeah, yeah, we're alright.

GOLDMAN: Alright. I'm counting on ya.

RUIZ: Me too.

[38:14] Goldman's Just Heard From Battalion

GOLDMAN: Just heard from Battalion.

ANDERSON: Yeah?

GOLDMAN: Nuthin'.

GOLDMAN: You ready?

ANDERSON: Yeah. You?

GOLDMAN: Yeah. You wait until they're on us, Zeke.

ANDERSON: Yes, sir.

[38:39] Surprise-Surprise, Incoming

SOLDIER: Incoming!

ANDERSON: Alright, when the shells hit, get your heads back up! Charlie's gonna be right behind them!

MORTAR CREW: Fire!

MATSUDA: That's all I can do for now, alright? Go, go on.

[39:16] Here They Come!

JOHNSON: Here they come.

ANDERSON: Don't fire until you hear the '60.

ANDERSON: Hold your fire, now, hold your fire. Alright, stand by. I'm gonna hit the mortar.

ANDERSON: Alright, they're comin'! Hold your fire, now. Wait 'til they hit the wire, and then give 'em a jolt!

[40:01] Fire Away Boys!

ANDERSON: Alright, 60s, get it!

TAYLOR: They're comin' in (?)

ANDERSON: Grenade!

TAYLOR: A body bag for you, Charlie!

ANDERSON: Fall back to CP!

SOLDIER [o.s.]: This way, go!

TAYLOR: Come on!

[41:01] Little Varmints Are In The Wire

SOLDIERS [o.s.]: Get some more clips over here! . . . Where's the doc? . . . We need a medic!

[42:01] Doc, Get Out of There!

ANDERSON: Doc! Get out of there!

[42:20] We Need Help, Now!

ANDERSON: Get down to CP!

HEATH: To hell with Redleg's priority, we're being overrun here! Redirect all general fire, do you copy? Do you copy? Do you hear me?

ANDERSON: The antenna's down, get away from the door!

ANDERSON: Everybody down! Here goes our second jolt!

[43:04] There's A Light

NVA SOLDIER: [speaking in Vietnamese] (transl: The GIs are in there...)

GOLDMAN: Listen.

NVA SOLDIER: [o.s., speaking in Vietnamese] (transl: Root them out...)

ANDERSON: Alright, Charlie's digging through. Alright, everybody, get down as flat as you can. See y'all in hell.

[44:28] After Hell, Help Arrives

PILOT: Uh, move in with extreme caution, Abel Seven. There's no sign of the enemy. As a matter of fact, there's no sign of life down there at all. Man, this place is really wasted.

[45:13] Daylight at Wasted Ladybird

DALBY: Larry. Are you okay? Hmm?

HEATH: Yes, sir, Colonel Dalby. We lost a lot of good men. And I recommend this soldier for a Silver Star.

DALBY: You did a hell of a job. The general's gonna be real proud o' ya. You all did a hell of a job. The damn kill ratio must be better than eleven-to-one. We slaughtered 'em. Now, this is just the kind of head-on fight we've been waitin' for. And with a little luck, there'll be a lot more days like this one.

[46:49] His Words Were No Comfort

End

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