Merrill's Marauders Page #5

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Well, what would you do

if it were your decision?

I'd go through the same hell

that you did making yours.

How long do you figure

before you can hit the base?

In our condition, 24 hours.

Eighteenth Japanese Division

will be waiting there for us.

Do you feel anything?

- Rain.

- Yeah.

Yeah, only a few drops,

but it could be the beginning.

We've got to beat that monsoon.

When this is all over,

you know what I'm going to do?

I'm gonna get married.

I'm gonna have about six kids.

I'll line them up against the wall and tell

them what it was like here in Burma.

And if they don't cry,

I'll beat the hell out of them.

I'll see you in Myitkyina.

So long, friend.

Request general's permission

to bury my man here.

In there.

Get on that radio.

Find out if Bannister's been hit.

Wonder what they're up to next.

There's only one way to find out.

Pass the word. Taggy's going out.

Enemy infiltration increasing along

the first battalion right flank, sir.

- Who's holding that position?

- Stock's platoon, sir.

Hey, sarge?

Kolowicz, where are you?

Sarge, hey, sarge.

Now, you keep your mouth shut.

Don't shoot. It's Taggy, I'm coming in.

- Did you learn anything?

- Banzai when it gets light.

Are you hurt?

A little.

Infiltration's stopped, sir.

Stock's okay, sir.

I just talked to his radio man.

You got good cover in here, Eleanor.

Taggy got some dope.

There's a banzai at dawn.

Terry, pass the word along the line.

- Stock.

- Yes, sir?

That's all.

Stay awake, soldier. Banzai at dawn.

Banzai at dawn, Kolly.

Banzai at dawn.

Banzai at dawn.

Banzai at dawn. Banzai at dawn.

- Here.

- It's your last one, sir.

Go on, take it.

Doc says smoking's bad for me.

Come in, left guard.

We're pinned down

by heavy gun fire from west of here.

Send medics, send medics.

Victor to Tom, I have fallen back.

I am reorganizing and digging in.

Lou hit by enemy sniper.

Suggest you get down at once.

All units! Enemy making

heavy rush through center.

Breakthrough! Breakthrough!

Left guard to quarterback.

Japanese falling back.

Right guard to quarterback.

Enemy pulling out.

- We beat them off, they're running.

- But why?

Quarterback to Bannister.

Come in, Bannister.

This is Bannister. Come in, quarterback.

- What is your situation?

- We've reached the airstrip.

We're attacking. Resistance is heavy.

It's gonna get heavier.

That's the reason

the Japanese are pulling out.

Heading back to Myitkyina to defend

the airstrip. We'd better get a move on.

Notify battalion

to assemble all able-bodied men.

- We're moving on Myitkyina.

- Yes, sir.

I want every man who can walk,

every man who can carry a rifle.

- You cannot order these men to fight.

- Every man who can carry a rifle!

Bannister needs one more push.

With these men we can...

You cannot order them to fight.

They'll never make it.

You'll never make it.

Doc, just give me something

to keep me on my feet 24 hours.

- That's all I ask, 24 hours.

- You're asking for a miracle, general.

I don't have any up my sleeve

and neither have you.

A miracle isn't called for.

Just another step. Just one more step!

All right, everybody, on your feet.

As long as you can breathe,

you can fight.

Come on, boy, pick up that rifle.

Come on, son, follow me.

You can make it.

All you have to do is take that next step.

That's all there is to it,

just put one foot in front of the other.

Come on, let's go!

You heard the general.

On your feet.

Kolowicz, move out.

Chris, let's go.

Move out.

Let's go.

What sort of men are these?

How do they do it?

How can they do it?

But they did it. They did the impossible.

They took Myitkyina.

On that day of victory, of the 3000

volunteers who marched into Burma...

...only 100 remained in action.

On that same day,

Merrill's Marauders were demobilized...

...and thus ceased to exist officially.

But by order

of the president of the United States...

...a special-unit citation

was awarded these men...

...so that history

would never forget them.

Today, their traditions are being carried

on by the U.S. Army Special Forces...

...and the other proud units

of the United States Army.

We salute them all.

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