They Were Expendable Page #4

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We got a patrol to get ready for.

The job's yours

anytime you can make it.

- Thanks.

- See you next week.

- So long.

- Take it easy.

Say, Skipper-

Sit down, Brick.

That was a nice act you boys put on.

How did you get the word?

Scuttlebutt.

Here. I'll get it for you.

If you get through...

...mail these, will you?

Sure, if there's any mail.

One to Mother.

One to Myra.

You know, she's at Lockheed.

I wrote out a will too.

That was a pretty good act

you put on yourself.

Any unfinished business

that you want me...

...to take care of for you?

Anything particular you'd like

to have me say to your folks...

...or to Myra?

I guess I've written

about all I had to say.

Sorry I couldn't do more

for the squadron.

Is there anybody on duty there?

Give me the field hospital.

This is Lt. Ryan speaking, Navy.

I want to talk to one of your nurses.

Lieutenant Davyss.

Sandy Davyss.

I don't know her first name.

Sandy. Sandy Davyss.

Oh, what's the use?

Here! Take it easy!

You've got plenty of time.

Ik eep trying.

- Bring that sign.

- Yes, sir.

At ease.

You're a swell bunch.

I'm glad to have been

able to serve with you.

I'd like to be able to tell you...

...that we were going out

to bring back help.

But that wouldn't be the truth.

We're going down the line

to do a job.

You're going to Bataan

with the Army.

That isn't what you've

been trained for.

But they need your help.

You older men...

...with longer service records...

...take care of the kids.

Maybe...

That's all.

God bless you.

- Ryan speaking.

- Hello, Rusty.

Is the 15th all right with you?

No, it isn't, Sandy.

Would the 16th be better?

Nothing would be better.

Well, what is this, anyway?

I guess it's goodbye.

Can you tell me where you're going?

I wish I could.

Are you coming back?

I'm not sure.

But I don't think so.

Well, this is really goodbye, then.

It's been awfully nice, hasn't it?

It's been swell.

Look, Sandy, I'm no good at talk.

I've written you a letter.

Shorty Long will get it to you.

Sorry, miss. We got to take this out.

We're moving south.

Operator?

You've cut us off.

A couple of generals?

Couldn't they wait till we were through?

Motor whaleboat

coming alongside, sir.

Put Miss Davyss back on the line.

Operator, what's gone wrong

with this line?

Gone dead.

That's tough, sir.

Hope what those generals

had to say was important.

- So long, Doc.

- Goodbye, sir.

So long, Willie.

- Be a good kid.

- Yes, sir.

- So long, Slim.

- So long.

- Shalom aleichem, Sammy.

- Same to you, baby.

- So long, Phil, old boy.

- You're in the Army now.

- Ready, Brickley.

- Ready, sir.

Sir, please autograph my hat.

Why, certainly.

Good evening, sir.

Ready, Ryan.

Wind them up.

Come on, Bad Luck.

Scat!

Fall in!

Right face!

Ground step!

Forward.

March!

On time.

Only three boats.

Must have lost one.

Orders, sir?

The squadron will work down here

under General Martin.

We've got quite a few men at Bataan.

I'd like to go pick them up.

You've done all you can up there.

What about aviation gasoline?

We'll try to find what you need.

What about torpedoes?

There may be some at Cebu.

I'll inquire.

We've got to have

aviation gas and torpedoes.

I realize that.

We'll keep you informed

as to enemy activity.

Plan your own operations

against their ships.

But report to me daily by phone.

- Goodbye, Brickley.

- Goodbye, sir.

Ryan.

Goodbye, sir.

That's tough luck.

What happened?

Oil failure.

Burnt out every cock-eyed bearing.

There's a shipyard at Cebu.

We'll tow you.

- Better tear down those engines.

- I've already started.

Thanks for the tow.

Por nada.

Do the same for you someday.

I hope not.

Wonder about the kids

on the 32 boat.

They were abeam of us

at 3:
00 in the morning.

Then we missed them.

Suppose that cruiser got them?

Stop worrying, Brick.

They'll show up.

I'm going over to the airfield.

Pick up an old crate,

see if I can find them.

Take over, will you?

- Take it easy.

- Have a look at that plank.

And watch out for the coral.

Can I have your attention?

Attention, all hands.

Mr. Brickley has requested

that I make the following announcement:

For every officer and man

in this squadron...

...for your work

in the war to date-

Happy, get in there

and give him a hand.

The General...

...has awarded the Silver Star...

...for gallantry.

Junior, get in and help him.

Planking's loose.

The bottom's full of coral.

All right.

Got a little news.

To every officer and man

in this squadron...

...for your work

in the war to date-

Excuse me, sir.

All this time, this black cat

has been aboard this boat.

The General has awarded

the Silver Star for gallantry.

By rights, the cat ought to

have been aboard the 32 boat.

Maybe this black cat

is good luck for us, the 41 boat.

Anyway, you've been awarded

the Silver Cat.

Any luck?

Not a sign of them.

Fire in the paint locker.

All right, Mahan. Think fast.

What happened?

It's all my fault, sir.

You see, I says to Mulcahey...

..."Let's get the crews

a couple of beers. "

That's the dumbest excuse

I ever heard.

- I'm sorry.

- That helps!

So when we gets back,

she was high and dry.

The engines wouldn't start.

It's just as much my fault.

Pipe down.

I'll take the rap.

For two cents, I'd bust you both

to seaman second.

Ik eep your mouth

out of my business.

Everything, sir.

Wheels, struts and shafts.

- It's my fault.

- How'd it happen?

- There's no one else to blame.

- How did it happen?

It's like this.

We were hot, tired and thirsty.

Slug and I thought we'd get

some beer-

Stand by with the 41 boat.

We'll pull her off and see the damage.

- Yes, sir, but I don't want-

- How was the beer?

We didn't have any.

Ready on the 35 boat.

Ready on the 35 boat!

Repeat the instructions.

If you're attacked, burn your boats.

We'll try and pick you up.

If we're attacked...

...burn your boats.

And we'll try to pick you up.

Jos Fernandez Maria!

Get going there.

I'll whop you with a neck yoke.

Brick!

Got a bent strut and shaft

on the port side.

- You check your planking?

- Planking's okay.

How long you figure

it will take, Dad?

Can't tell yet.

I won't knock off till I'm done.

How am I going to pay you?

You'll fight them and I'll fix them.

That's pay enough.

Only hope we get them out of here

before the Japs move in.

How far away you figure they are?

Half the nearby islands.

Cruisers and destroyers

have been nosing around for days.

What are you going to do

if they make a landing?

They'll have to fight to get me.

You, Ascevedo Perreira!

Get away from that water bucket.

Drink on your own time.

That reminds me.

How about a little snort?

Later.

Captain.

Submarine.

S-29 coming up the channel, sir.

And chow is ready.

I have orders to load

food and quinine...

...and try to run it to Corregidor.

They also want the interisland

steamers to try the blockade.

We've got seven small steamers here.

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