Flying Leathernecks

Our story begins in the midsummer

of 1942 on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

Here the gentle surf

which rolled on Waikiki...

... occasionally drowned out

the roar of planes overhead.

Constant reminders of the task

to be done.

The Japanese had conquered

the island chain to Guadalcanal...

... and we had to start

the long climb back...

... despite the initial lack

of men and materiel.

This is the story of a group

of young American men...

... who comprised the

Marine Fighter Squadron...

... VMF 247.

Men representing and represented by

the American flag...

... which flew at the base

of a sleeping volcano.

Unmistakable evidence that our country...

... then, as always,

would fight against aggression...

... and all the aggressors

that challenged the rights of free men.

Here it is, Mac. Come and get it.

Come on, fellas. Let's celebrate.

Come on and get your beer.

Save one of those for me!

- Hey, beer!

- I'll always take a beer.

- Here he is!

- Come on, give me a beer.

Captain Griffin.

Being that I'm the smartest,

I was selected to make a speech...

...of congratulation.

- Attention!

Gentlemen, Major Kirby,

your new squadron commander.

This isn't usual, major.

May I speak, sir?

Go ahead.

Well, this is a joke, sir.

We thought when Major Hardy

was injured that Griff...

I mean, Captain Griffin

would be in command.

I mean, with the urgency

and all and us on alert...

...well, we arranged this, or I arranged it,

as sort of a rib, sir, to congratulate him...

...if you see what I mean.

I see.

Well, relax, men.

And you can hang on to that beer.

It's scarce enough in the islands.

I know we'll see no more beer

in the ready room...

...but this is an unusual occasion.

We'll forget it.

When the command meets the commander

for the first time, it's like a wedding.

Nobody knows how

it's gonna turn out.

Whether it'll be a happy

golden anniversary or a divorce.

We'll see.

What's this?

- On your way to a rodeo?

- No, sir. No.

It's just because I got high arches.

Almost all Texans got high arches.

Heredity. You know, like Eskimo babies,

they got thicker skin...

- But don't wear them when flying.

- My arches are as high in the air...

...as on the ground.

- Not when flying.

- Yes, sir.

- Major.

This character takes some getting

used to. He's conversational.

But I put up with him for two reasons.

One, he's my brother-in-law.

The other reason is, this idiot is rich.

As soon as this ruckus is over,

I'm going to retire on his money.

I hope the major knows I was

just clowning about the boots.

Sure.

Thank you.

This squadron has a warning order

to stand by.

I can tell you we will be receiving orders

to move out almost any minute.

Start getting your personal gear

and personal affairs up to date.

Well, anyway.

See? He didn't get the job.

Well, that's logical, since the minds working

under those brass hats work in reverse.

Fellas, I think we looked a little jerky when

our new CO got his first hinge at us.

I've heard about this guy. He's rugged.

He led close air-support training...

...at North Island. He made them

come so close to the beach...

...they picked up seashells in oil coolers.

- You guys are wrong.

He's all right.

I know he's all right.

Here's the squadron roster and table

of organization. We're in good shape.

Come.

May I speak to the major, sir?

Go ahead.

I'd like to thank you, sir.

That letter sure helped my family.

I mean, it was written

in a way that...

Well, it helped us all, about my brother.

That's all I wanted to say.

- Your brother? What's your name?

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