soldier I ever knew.
I see. I'm sorry, Sergeant.
You just couldn't play it smart, could you?
All you had to do was box, but no,
not you, you hardhead.
Funny thing is, there ain't gonna be
any boxing championships this year.
What's the matter?
Ain't you ever seen a dead man?
Let's get this body out of here!
We ain't got all night!
It's very beautiful, isn't it?
I think it's the most beautiful place
I ever saw in my life.
I can almost see where I worked from here.
There's a legend:
If they float in toward shore,
you'll come back some day.
If they float out to sea, you won't.
I won't come back.
My fiance was killed on December 7.
I'm sorry.
He was a bomber pilot.
He tried to taxi his plane
to the edge of the apron.
The Japs made a direct hit on it.
Maybe you read about it in the papers.
He was awarded the Silver Star.
They sent it to his mother.
She wrote me she wanted me to have it.
That's very fine of her.
They're very fine people. Southern people.
He was named after a general.
Robert E. Lee...
...Prewitt.
Who?
Robert E. Lee Prewitt.
Isn't that a silly old name?One, two, three, four.
Hey, Maggio! Hello!
Hiya, Prew.
What are you doing over here?
Transferred over from Fort Shafter.
- You quit the Bugle Corps?
- Yup.
For here?
I didn't pick it.
You made a very bad mistake.
This outfit, they can give back Custer.
Yeah?
Captain ain't in yet.
I'll look around.
What do you think you're doing?
- What's your name?
- Prewitt. Transfer from Fort Shafter.
I heard about you.
I heard about you, too, Sergeant.
This here's a rifle outfit, Prewitt.
You ain't supposed to enjoy yourself
before sundown.
Put up your cue and come along.
Grand went to the hospital yesterday.
You put him in the sick book?
- Didn't have time.
- You're the company clerk, Mazzioli.
The medics returned the sick book
late yesterday. I'll do it now.
Thanks, I already done it for you.
You're the best bugler
they got over at Shafter.
- You're the best bugler on this island.
- That's true.
I feel for you, pal.
But from my position,
I can't quite reach you.
Ten-hut!
At ease.
- 'Morning, sir.
- 'Morning, men.
Anything special for me?
I've only a few minutes.
Yes, sir. New man here.
Oh, yes. Come in.
Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt, reporting
to the Company Commander, as ordered.
At ease. Where's that service record?
'Born in Kentucky.
Enlisted first at Fort Meyer, Virginia.
'Bugle Corps, First Bugler.'
Prewitt, I always make it a policy
to talk to my new men.
Now, I have a fine, smooth-running outfit.
If I like a soldier, he can become
a non-commissioned officer quickly.
But he has to show me
that he's got it on the ball.
What trouble were you in,
in the Bugle Corps?
No trouble, sir.
What made you transfer out, then?
It was a personal matter.
- Something you wanted to ask, Sergeant?
- Why, yes, sir.
Prewitt, you was a corporal
in the Bugle Corps.
You took a bust to buck private
to transfer to an infantry outfit. Why?
Because you like to hike, or was it
because you couldn't stand to bugle?
It was a personal matter.
That's up to the Company Commander
to decide.
Well?
I was First Bugler for two years.
The Top Kick had a friend
who transferred in from another outfit.
The next day he was made
First Bugler over me.
I was a better bugler.
And you asked out on account of that?
Maybe it ain't sensible,
but that's the reason.
His feelings were hurt.
Kids they send us now!
We'll get your stripes back for you,
maybe an extra one for good measure.
- Know why you're assigned to G Company?
- No, sir.
I pulled a few strings. I'm the regimental
boxing coach, you know.
Yes, sir.
I saw your fight with Connors in the Bowl
year before last. You should have won.
Thank you, sir.
Our regiment got beaten in the finals
last December, but I mean to win this year.
All I've needed is a top middleweight.
I'm sorry, sir. I quit fighting.
Quit fighting? When? What for?
Well, over a