Operation Pacific Page #5

Bob.

I was over at your quarters

looking for you.

I wanted to tell you about Pop,

and how we all felt.

What's the use of talking?

All I can think of

is Pop out there, helpless...

while you went glory-hunting.

Too bad.

Don't be upset, darling.

Let's sit down over here

and you can tell me what happened.

In time, Bob will forgive you.

Forgive me? For what?

We didn't abandon Pop.

He ordered the Thunder down,

knowing he couldn't make it.

Knowing she'd be under

in less than a minute.

He gave his life for his crew and his boat.

Bob doesn't understand that.

After all, Pop was his brother.

He was my best friend.

I'll miss him.

His kindness, and his gruff humor.

But the missing is all mixed with such

a fierce pride in what he did that...

I have no room for mourning.

-I think Pop understands.

-But that doesn't lessen the hurt.

Wait a minute.

I've told you how I feel.

If you're offering me

a shoulder to cry on, I don't need it.

-I have nothing to cry about.

-I'm only trying to help.

But you can't help me in this.

My problem is to stay aboard

the Thunder and keep the crew together.

I better get started on it right now!

See you later.

What's the matter?

I guess I know now where I stand.

Is the Admiral in?

Yes, sir. I think he is expecting you.

-Captain Gifford of the Thunderfish, sir.

-Come in, Duke.

-Thank you for seeing me, sir.

-Sit down. Relax.

What can I do for you?

I'd like to talk to you sir,

about the Thunder.

I could say the crew

is so well-coordinated that...

it should be kept intact.

That'd be true. I could...

tell you about Pop and the...

promise I made to him.

There're many things--

What are you trying to tell me?

I don't want to go back to the States.

The Board says you had a strenuous time.

I know they said that, sir, but...

I thought perhaps you could....

There is one possibility for you to stay.

I have been given permission

to conduct experiments out here...

to find out why torpedoes don't explode.

I wouldn't be any good for that!

I'm no theory man.

I am a line officer.

I belong aboard the Thunder.

You're a practical submariner

and this is a big job. However...

Flag Lieutenant, sir.

Arrange transportation for Captain Gifford

on the next plane to the States.

I hadn't finished, sir.

I meant to say was

I belong aboard a boat...

but I'll do anything I can.

I thought you'd feel that way.

I gather from Pop's messages

he had some ideas of what was wrong.

Yes, sir. He started to explain to me,

but never finished.

You think anybody aboard the Thunder

would have any ideas?

My chief might. Matter of fact,

the whole crew are fine torpedo men.

Go into a huddle with the base

Torpedo Officer. See what you cook up.

We'll give you all the help we can

from the shops.

-Thank you.

-It's all right. Find the answer for me.

You know, I don't enjoy sending

out boats and crews...

with torpedoes that don't

get the job done.

-It looks all right here in the shop.

-But it doesn't explode.

We've figured out the force of impact.

If we could approximate the number of

tons with which it hits the side of a ship--

Why don't you take it up high some place

and drop it?

No luck.

Ten straight duds!

That sends me back to the States.

Me, too. This thing is a must

for the admiral.

Chief, is there anything we haven't tried?

No, sir.

Except the aluminum firing pins the base

sent over, but they look too light, sir.

-Put one in.

-Yes, sir.

Stand clear!

Let her go!

Hold it right there.

Turn around twice and give

me all the angles.

Then get your hat, coat, stick and gloves

cause we're going out.

I've got something to say.

But do you have to say it right now--

Yes, right now,

because I'm not going to enjoy it.

I want to get it over with.

Please don't touch me. Just listen.

The last time I saw you, was probably

the most unselfish moment in my life.

I was practically glowing

with things I wanted to do for you.

But you didn't give me a chance.

-Sorry.

-Now that everything is cleared up.

-You want somebody to howl with you.

-Not just somebody. I want you.

I'm not available, Duke.

That night in front

of the nurse's quarters...

and then again at the pier.

I forgot for a moment why we split up.

But you reminded me.

The old trouble came charging back.

It wasn't the Navy, the wet winters,

bad quarters or your being away so much!

Those things just made it more

wonderful when you got home.

Sure, we did, we had

some great times together.

But a marriage isn't all laughs.

I wanted to cry with you sometimes, too.

I wanted to comfort you

when you lost your best friend.

But you wouldn't let me.

I wanted to comfort you

when we lost our son.

But you went off into some corner

of your own, never realizing...

by comforting you,

I could have helped my own grief.

Maybe it's my fault.

Maybe I shouldn't have let

you shut me out.

But you have no corner on pride.

If I can't be a part

of everything in your life...

I can't be a part of anything.

So there it is.

The trouble between us.

You don't need me, Duke.

You never have.

You don't need anybody but yourself.

A fine boy.

Take good care of him, will you?

A man's got a lot to learn!

I heard every word you said.

I've tried to keep my nose

out of your business...

but I can't stand by anymore and

watch you make a fool of yourself.

-Commander Steele--

-Keep quiet and listen!

Of course he comes to you

when he wants to play.

Or do you want him to go to

some another woman?

You married him for what he is,

then tried to make something else of him.

When you couldn't, and you never will...

you began to feel sorry for yourself.

How long would you love him

if he did cry on your shoulder?

"You don't need me! "

"Maybe I shouldn't have let you

shut me out." What kind of talk is that?

And what has pride got to do with love?

Don't worry. He won't be happy.

But what is more important

he won't be back!

Skip it, seaman.

What's the matter, Junior?

Getting some fresh air?

No, sir.

I was just sitting up here thinking

about women.

How you miss them till you get ashore.

And then how you wonder why.

And how soon

you start missing them again.

I reckon it's just a vicious circle!

It's a mighty cynical observation

for a gentleman from Georgia.

-Alabama, sir.

-I beg your pardon.

Of course, sir.

There's lots of corn-bread-and-buttermilk

boys in the navy.

Yet that doesn't seem to be sailor country.

Oh, but it is, sir.

From way back.

My great-grandpappy

was on the Merrimac.

My grandpappy was

with Dewey at Manila.

My pappy was with Admiral Sims,

chasing U-boats!

Why, even the town I come

from is named Decatur!

Indications lead

to an all-out Japanese effort...

to destroy the recently obtained

United States base at Leyte...

and prevent support

and supply by our fleet.

The Imperial Japanese Fleet is known

to have left its base, headed south.

Several courses are open to them.

Consequently, initial contact

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