Flags of Our Fathers Page #3

two-and-a-half wide.

There's a lump down at the bottom.

That's Mount Suribachi.

On the maps in front of you

the island is white.

Not much of it.

The black dots represent

known enemy emplacements.

Coastal defense guns,

dual-mount dual-purpose guns,

covered artillery emplacements.

Rifle pits, foxholes, antitank guns

machine guns, blockhouses, pillboxes,

and earth-covered structures.

I don't see any barracks

or any other structures.

That's right.

And we still don't know why.

Now, this isn't just any island to them.

This isn't Tarawa, Guam, Tinian,

or Saipan.

This is Japanese soil, sacred ground.

Twelve thousand Japanese defenders

in eight square miles.

They will not leave politely, gentlemen.

It's up to us to convince them.

The 28th will land here at Green Beach.

The 8th Ammo Company

will land here to re-supply.

The Suribachi's guns

are the biggest problem.

They can hit any point on the island.

We're sitting ducks

until we take them out.

That's our job.

We cut across the island, right at the

base, slit its throat, lop off its head.

And we take that mountain.

We take that mountain,

we take their big guns.

We take their eyes.

Okay, I'm heading in. Follow me.

Let's put a good show on

for the Marines.

Close it up.

Take it right down to the deck.

Yeah, boys!

Man overboard portside!

See him?

Throw me a line!

He's right there.

- Where is he?

- Watch out, watch out, watch out.

Hawaii's that way!

Just keep paddling, Mac,

we'll catch you on the way back!

Hold on, they're gonna lower a raft!

They're not gonna stop.

What?

None of them are. They can't.

So much for "No man left behind."

- Sir.

- Come on in.

Look, I've had to make

a few other changes.

I'm promoting you to platoon sergeant.

- Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.

- You bet.

Trouble is, I already told my men

I'd see them through this.

That your

James Cagney impersonation?

'Cause I've heard better.

Well, I'll keep practicing, then.

Look, this isn't

your first time through this.

- You don't need to prove anything.

- No, sir.

You're not the best sergeant

I've ever had,

you're just the best one

that's still walking.

- Block's a good man.

- Yes, sir, he is.

The men know him, he can step right in.

You know,

I have actually thought this through.

Platoon sergeant puts you further away

from the bullets.

I already gave them my word, sir.

I told them I'd bring them all home

to their mothers

which means I already lied to half

of them. Can't lie to the rest.

- How are your men?

- They'll do fine.

Except maybe Gagnon.

Our own Tyrone Power?

Yes, sir. He's a good man, just might be

better use further back from the lines.

I'll use him as a runner.

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