Black Sheep Squadron (1976) s01e19 Episode Script
The Last Mission Over Sengai
You guys, follow me in.
Hit the dirt! So far, only one Corsair has been positively identified.
Because of the 20 Japanese flags.
Carter says you ordered the strike, and when you discovered you'd made a mistake, decided to lay it off on him.
- Carter's a liar.
Ted, there were casualties.
You try to hang that on me you'll find this war come crashing down around you.
Carter's family buys and sells senators like you deal in Scotch.
What is it that you're suggesting that I do, sir? Resign your command.
Baa Baa Black Sheep S01E19 - The Last Mission Over Sengai S01E19 - The Last Mission Over Sengai Out of my way, Larry.
Now, wait a minute, Jim.
Don't go jumping to conclusion.
It's time somebody taught that little boy a lesson.
Just wait for confirmation, huh? Come on, you guys.
Jim's going after Carter.
I'm gonna have to knock some ice into you, you get so hot, you can't see anymore.
You stay away from me, Gutterman.
Keep him off Get him off me, get him off me! You keep that maniac away from me.
Cut it out, you, James! All of you! Stay away from me.
All right, you guys.
Knock it off! Knock it off! Now get out of here.
Get out of here and get yourselves a cool walk.
Get going.
I'm not gonna forget about this, Major.
- Carter You're lucky to be alive.
Any one of these men could've planted you with my blessings.
Now, I'll see you in the up shack in five minutes.
You got that, mister? VMF 214 reporting a close air support strike.
Sector 118, grid alpha charley 202, that's the northern end of the Sengai Valley.
As soon as you get strike confirmation, let me know.
Negative.
Black Sheep One.
I wanna say something.
What happened out there today, it wasn't my fault.
I'm not interested in whose fault it was.
Well, I am.
I took ground fire today.
I felt the slugs in the aircraft.
Sit down.
Somebody made a mistake today.
You try to hang that on me, you'll find this war come crashing down around you as though you were the enemy.
You really have that much horse power, Carter? Push me.
Find out.
You get your gear.
You're going to Espritos.
You're out of here this afternoon.
You're really gonna try it, aren't you, Boyington? I've had it with you, Carter.
With you and your silver spoon.
I probably should've grounded you, but I didn't.
Now, that's going to be up to the flight sergeant to decide.
You tell him about your family tree and your father's influence, and whatever great career someone's carved out for you.
You think you can get me on a Section 8? I got news for you Your way way off your head.
What exactly did you see? I saw a panel marker that was red or orange, I don't know what color.
Anybody else see it? - No.
Any markings on it? An arrow or something? Hey, did anybody see Carter? If I were him, I'd go down to the beach with my fancy pistol and blow my brains out.
If you was him, Boyle, you'd probably miss.
Any of you guys see Carter, tell him he got his orders.
- Orders? Wait, wait Hey What does it say? Pappy sending him to the flight surgeon.
It's about time.
That guy's got monkey fever.
Remember the time Greg flamed that Zeke and the pilot bailed out? Oh, and Carter dove down in his parachute? I thought I'd heard of a thing like that, never thought I'd see it.
The man loves killing.
Bob, you mind? So Carter's gonna get a Section 8 and go home.
It's fine.
What's gonna happen to us? There's gonna be an investigation.
Maybe even a court-martial.
Wait a minute.
We don't know those were our troops down there.
I saw the panel markers.
You saw something, Jim.
Going 340, trying not to bounce off trees, you can't be sure what you saw.
Yeah, but if it was It's been confirmed.
Fifth Marines were on a mop-up operation taking prisoners.
Any losses? Yeah.
But they don't know how many yet All the reports aren't in.
My God.
So Carter's gonna get out on Section 8? I don't know what's gonna happen to Carter, and I don't give a damn.
We have been removed from combat status, pending a full investigation.
Now, when the brass and the press get here, I would appreciate it, men, if you would keep your mouths closed for a change.
One of your pals are looking for you.
I don't have any pals here.
My heart bleeds.
Hey, Ted! Here.
Your orders.
Yes.
Maybe I'll see you around, Larry.
Maybe.
We got word from the rear area.
It was one of our own units.
They should've put the markers out.
You can't tell anything from the air without the markers.
I don't know.
Maybe they got covered up or something, you know.
Yeah, maybe.
There's your plane.
Did you see any markers? No, I didn't.
But I was in the last flight, we aborted before we got over the valley.
They didn't put the markers up.
It's their own fault.
Ted, there were casualties.
I thought you'd wanna know.
We have ground reports of repeated attacks, Boyington.
Repeated! Now, how did that happen? One of my pilots made a mistake.
He was separated from the rest of the squad He took a run down the valley and he saw enemy troops What he thought were enemy troops.
He radioed his position for assistance, and since he knew where the ground fire was coming from, he was the first one to fly the first pass.
Ground fire! Enemy troops! My God, Boyington, those were United States marines guarding Japanese prisoners! I know that now, sir.
Well then, what the hell happened out there? Sir, it's possible that That Carter That he got confused and he attacked the wrong position.
But the point is, sir, that when we realized what happened and I gave the orders to abort, my men followed those orders and they aborted.
The point, Boyington, is that United States Marines were wounded in that strafing.
And what was supposed to have been a routine mop-up operation turned into a full scale battle.
It took six hours to secure the area! And more men were lost in that fighting.
Men that would be alive now! You said, Carter? Ted Carter? Yes, sir, I said Ted Carter.
Get him in here, rightaway.
Sir, I sent him to Espritos for a medical evaluation.
Do you know who Ted Carter's father is? Yes, sir.
He wouldn't let us forget it.
General Kane has ordered a full-scale investigation, Boyington.
So far, only one Corsair has been positively identified.
The marines remembered it.
Because there were at least 20 Japanese flags on the fuselage.
Oh, Carter's looks very pleased with himself today.
Major Boyington.
Major, I'm Preston Sawyer from General Kane's headquarters' in New Caledonia.
You know General Moore, Colonel Lard and Colonel Richardson.
Major.
Sit down, Greg.
This is a formal hearing, Major.
What you say will be recorded and transcribed and you'll be asked to sign it.
I understand you have waived the right to be represented by counsel at this hearing.
For this hearing, that's right.
Yes, sir.
Then tell us what happened on your last mission over Sengai.
We were flying close air support for the Choiseul invasion, the enemy was honeycombed into the hill sides and we were dropping 500 pounders I wonder why it's taking so long.
I don't know, but I don't like it.
These MP's remind me of a bunch of vultures, sitting on a tree waiting for old mule to die.
At least General Moore's in there.
He won't let Pappy get railroaded.
He's coming out.
Lieutenant Robert Boyle.
Oh, I got to go in there first.
Just go in there, Bob.
I don't trust that character Sawyer.
Well, he's General Kane's right-hand man.
I've been studying up on all this.
I'm supposed to be the squadron's legal officer.
What'd you tell them, Pappy? We ought to keep our stories straight.
I told them the truth.
And that's what I expect all you guys to do, I expect you to tell them the truth.
Go ahead, Lieutenant, tell us what happened.
Yes, sir.
Well, we just flew an air strike Relax, Lieutenant, go ahead.
Yes, sir.
at the Japanese emplacement.
We went upstairs and we regrouped and then Carter got on the radio Lieutenant Ted Carter? Yes, sir.
He was over the north end of the valley.
But somehow he got separated from the rest of us.
He said he that he was receiving ground fire and he needed assistance.
So Pappy led us over there - Excuse me? By Pappy, I assume you mean Major Boyington? Yes, sir.
Major Boyington.
Thank you.
So Carter knew where the ground fire was coming from, so he led us in.
I was in the back, with Casey, it's Lieutenant Larry Casey, and still coming in over the hill when I heard Pappy on the radio saying that there was a friendly position down there and telling us to abort.
So I pulled up.
Then Carter said that Pappy, the Major, was crazy, that there were a friendly troop for Marines pinned down there in the valley.
And then Carter came around to make pass.
Pappy, chased down after him and told him to get back in the formation.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
Is that all, sir? We have a number of people to interview.
Don't you wanna ask me anymore questions? I don't think that'll be necessary.
Yes, sir.
Thank you very much, Lieutenant.
You're welcome, sir.
That's the last of them.
General? It's preposterous.
Not a single man has corroborated Carter's testimony.
Why should they? They're loyal to their commanding officer.
Captain, eight men sat in here and told the same story, even down to the words in the radio transmissions.
Carter's story was completely different.
Those eight men have had 48 hours to collaborate on their story.
I'm not surprised they used the same words.
General I know the history of this squadron.
If it hadn't been for Boyington, those pilots would have been court-martialed or sitting behind desks, and probably court-martialed.
Well Look at the charges Colonel Lard has filed against this unit in the last six months.
They're derelicts, undesirables And liars.
And that is documented.
Whereas Lieutenant Carter's service record is spotless.
I don't think we can ignore the fact that Boyington asked for psychiatric examination of Carter following the incident.
The doctor's preliminary indicates a clean bill.
Go get Carter.
Not one of them supported your story.
I told you they wouldn't.
Ted I hope to God you know what you are doing.
Once a thing like this gets started, it's hard to stop it.
What am I supposed to do? Protect Boyington? Protect the stainless image of the Marine Corps? Look, it is my job to protect the Marine Corps, and your job to protect yourself.
But I want you to be sure if this thing gets all the way to court-martial, that you will be able to go through with it.
What are you talking about? Why wouldn't I go through with it? You think I'm lying? No.
No.
No, I don't think you're lying.
Lieutenant, you've made serious charges in this inquiry.
If there is any doubt in your mind as to the accuracy of your recollection, or any part of the testimony, or if you would like to reconsider, I suggest you do so now.
I stand behind everything I've said, General.
It's the truth.
Very well, Lieutenant, you're dismissed.
Wait for us outside.
I wanna wait a few days.
Washington wants to know how we're handling this and how we're gonna keep it out of the press.
Are you aware, General, that Navy censors have caught over two dozen letters describing the incident? Every man in the Fifth Marines is talking about it.
I don't buy Carter's story.
I wanna wait until the flight sergeant has more time with it.
Sir General Kane made one thing clear to me, Ted Carter is not leaving his command with a Section 8 on his record.
Then General Kane wants a court-martial? No.
General Kane does not want a court-martial.
He feels it would be tremendously embarrassing.
It would raise questions in Washington as to why VMF 214 exists as a combat squadron under Boyington's command.
It exists, Captain, because I authorized it.
Sit down, Greg.
What I'm gonna say to you in this room is completely off the record.
Come on, come on.
What's going on? Carter says you ordered the strike, and when you discovered you'd made a mistake, decided to lay it off on him.
Do you believe him, sir? Colonel? Doesn't matter whether we believe it or not, Boyington.
There are five officers who are gonna have to be convinced that it isn't true.
You're going for a court-martial.
Pappy's gonna be court-martialed.
Wha What did he say? - Shut up! You have become a thorn in the side of a two-star general.
He wants your wings.
And he's got you right between the rocks and the shoals.
That still doesn't alter the fact that Carter is a liar.
Well, what is it that you're suggesting I do, sir? Resign your command.
Now, wait a minute! I'll transfer you back to Pearl Harbor and I'll do my best bury this whole thing.
Give it a year and I guarantee you eagles.
And the Black Sheep? The squadron will have to be broken up.
They'll all go into the pilots pool.
What happens if I don't jump on this hand grenade, if I just If I just let it go off? Then you'll be charged with dereliction of duty as a commanding officer.
If you're convicted, it'll go on your record and it'll never come off.
You'll be forced to resign your commission.
What happens if I'm not convicted? Greg, Ted Carter's family buys and sells senators like you deal in Scotch.
Presidents come to his father's home for dinner, generals run errands for him.
What do you think the fate of one fighter pilot would mean to a man like that? Joe Carter has plans for his son.
He wants a war hero in the family.
I'll marry his daughter.
What do you want from me, General? There's only one thing matters to me, Greg.
I want to be able to look you in the eye the next time I see you.
How much time do I have? Forty-eight hours.
I accept the court-martial.
You're early today, Colonel.
I'm on duty.
There's supposed to be a Major Boyington here? In the back.
Colonel Ellis? A sad fact but true.
I'm Greg Boyington, sir.
This is T.
J.
Wylie, that's Jim Gutterman.
Why don't you sit down.
Yeah.
Any particular reason to meet in here, Major? Well, I needed an office.
As much as I am up for court-martial, so I figured I'd set up shop someplace where I can be comfortable.
You're pretty cheerful about it.
Colonel? Tell me, Major, we got a lot of bright young men in the section, why'd you pick me to represent you.
T.
J.
checked up on those bright young men.
And none of them were criminal lawyers.
It so happens I was a lousy criminal lawyer.
You're in deep water, Major, and you're sinking fast.
You've got a two-star general out to get your wings and a prosecuting attorney I would've been afraid of in my prime, if I'd ever had a prime.
You might as well let this sea lawyer represent you for all the good I can do.
I got news for you, Colonel.
I think I can beat this court-martial.
You're going to beat it? Well, you got the right to represent yourself.
I think you should.
Better you to have a fool for a client than me.
Pappy.
I got the names on the court-martial board.
The good old rocks and shoals.
Everyone of them's a personal friend of General Kane's, except the president.
That's odd.
The president is Colonel Lard.
He doesn't have to be a friend of Kane's.
He's been trying to put me away for six months.
He's going to get his wish.
You're going down the pipe, son.
And you're an old shyster who doesn't know a winner when he's sitting with one.
You, sea lawyer.
I want a deposition on this Lt.
Carter.
You know how to take a deposition? I was pre-law in college before they kicked me out - Just do it.
And you, get over to Lared's office and tell him - Lard.
Lard.
And tell him I want a copy of every charges ever been made against this Black Sheep squadron or anything else that pertains to this case and if he holds out anything on me, tell him I'll file appeals all the way to Washington and he won't hear the end of this case till the end of the war.
If he's lucky! Get going! Yes, sir.
And you just keep pouring.
I'm in.
Me, too.
I fold.
You know what's spooky about all this? I think Carter really believes you ordered him to strafe that valley.
I mean, he really thinks we're all out to get him to protect ourselves.
Call.
Case Section 8 twice over.
What's that make him, Bobby? Section 16? Section 116.
Everybody out? Gentlemen, I wanna thank you for your contribution to my defense fund.
All right.
T.
J.
, when you talked to Carter did he act differently? Different from what? He's always been a yo-yo.
Yeah, I know that.
But you know, if he's gone bananas he'll act a little differently.
That's not necessarily so, you know.
I had an uncle who's crazy as a fruit tree until he sat down with a psychiatrist or a lawyer or doctor, he was normal as you.
Well, normal as normal people.
You call that normal? Hey, you know what I was wondering? I was wondering if Carter just all of a sudden had an accident.
You guys know what I was thinking? You know, it wouldn't be all that hard to blackmail Lard, and he's the president of the court.
Pathetic bunch of hooligans you all are.
Commanding officer is responsible for the actions all his men, crazy or not.
Look here, old man, aren't you the buffalo who said they're trying to railroad Greg? Now it just seems to me You just proved Carter's point for him.
Maybe you're all out to get him.
I thought you were sleeping.
It's a common misconception.
I was thinking.
Thinking of your strategy? I was thinking how I can get out of this assignment before you derelicts pull me down with you.
Ten.
Hut! I want to talk to you.
You're rapidly losing your one chance to get out of this situation intact, Major.
If you think you can save yourself by discrediting the Marine Corps or Ted Carter, I will personally guarantee you one deep hole with your name at the bottom of it.
You're already scared of this, aren't you, General? You know that Ted Carter's lying.
I don't believe you heard I heard what the General said.
Carter needs psychiatric help.
I was in command of the squadron.
You want to discipline me for what happened, do it, sir.
But don't take my squadron away from me.
Boyington, I'll take everything you ever had away from you.
Before I'm through, you're gonna wish you went down in that last mission over Sengai.
We entered the Sengai Valley from the northern pass, at 0715.
We were a flanking operation under the command of Captain Taylor.
Our job was to contain the enemy as he was flushed from the caves on the hillside, where the main force was on a sweep, Colonel Fein commanding.
But you were under the command of Captain Taylor? Yes, sir.
Where is Captain Taylor now? On a hospital ship off Guadalcanal.
He got shot up pretty bad by the Corsairs.
I see.
When did you first see the Corsairs? We were rounding up prisoners.
Most of them were confused and disoriented.
They hadn't eaten in a week, they were out of ammo, we were giving them chocolate bars and C-rations.
What's with that guy, is he lost? He's coming around again.
What's he doing? Sarge! Hit the dirt! Damn! Oh, God, I got hit! Get on the radio and try to call that idiot! We tried, sir.
We can't raise them by radio.
Why'd they do it? Why? The markers! Where the hell are the markers? You stupid maniac, what are you doing? So the panel markers were not in position? The panel markers were in position, but they were not in the area that we were holding prisoners.
They were all over that valley.
What were the markings on that airplane? I couldn't see them, sir.
What in the name of God is going on here? I don't know, but you better get down, sir! Captain! Radio them Tell them Can't raise them, sir.
Our radios were set at 133.
8, by pre-arrangement with the ground forces for whom we were flying support.
It's not surprising the Fifth Marines couldn't raise us, since they didn't know what frequency we were on.
And how did you happen to be split off from the rest of the squadron, Lieutenant? After dropping my ordnance, the Major ordered me to fly high cover.
The wind at my assigned altitude was in excess 40 knots out of the west, and it carried me over the Sengai Valley.
Major, I got ground activity at Sector 118, looks like it could be trouble.
Take a run, Carter, get a closer look.
Hard to tell what's going on down there, Major.
There's a war going on down there, Carter, and if it wouldn 't be too much trouble, maybe you could lend a hand with it.
You saying I should attack, Major? I want you to drop flowers.
Come on, Jim, let's show them what these planes are made for.
Getting to the boys in the valley? Blast it! So Major Boyington ordered you to attack, despite the fact you weren't sure what was really happening in the valley? Yes, sir.
Only I couldn't do it.
So when I came over the valley the second time Major, those are friendly troops down there! Friendly troops? Pull up, you guys.
Break off! - You don 't give orders up here, I do.
But Greg, if they're friendly Do what I tell you to! Major, there are some panel markers down there! Carter, you get upstairs and stay there, on radio silence! I'll settle with you on the ground.
The rest of you guys, follow me in! Isn't it true, Major, that you never personally liked Ted Carter? Resented having him in your unit, and felt that by recommending psychiatric observation of him following the incident, that you could protect yourself by using Carter as a scapegoat? I object, Colonel.
That's a leading question.
I'd like to answer that question, if it's all right with you.
No, I never liked Carter personally, but he was a member of my unit, I supported him just like I supported anyone else.
And when he radioed me that he was getting ground fire from the Sengai Valley Major, I'm receiving ground fire over the north end of the valley.
Are you hit? - Affirm.
Looks like a company of friendlies pinned down in the mouth of the valley.
I could use some help.
Jim, T.
J.
, can you see his position? Negative, Greg.
He must be on the reverse side of the hill.
Carter, come up to angels one, we'll rendezvous.
I led the squadron over to assist him.
When a pilot's in trouble, you don't question his judgment.
You try and help him.
I see your position, Carter, where's the ground fire coming from? Why don't I lead you in, Major? Roger.
Jim, you guys see a panel marker down there? There's one down there, I just saw it.
Abort! Abort! Everybody upstairs! What're you talking about? Those are friendlies down there, Carter! You're crazy! I'm going down.
Carter! Carter, get upstairs.
Major, those are friendlies pinned down there.
Maybe you won 't do anything about it but I will.
I gave you an order, Lieutenant! Jim, keep everybody up here and keep them frosty.
I'm going down after Carter.
Carter, you don 't follow orders and get upstairs, I'm personally gonna blow you out of the sky! You got that, Lieutenant? Carter, they're friendly.
Don't fire! Carter! Carter! Carter! Lieutenant Carter made the final pass with me behind him.
Then I escorted him up and I ordered him to stay with the squadron.
And then I made one last pass.
To verify the friendly position we'd attacked.
Major, how do you account for the discrepancies between your version of the incident and Lieutenant Carter's? I can't account for it, sir.
Two weeks ago, Lieutenant, the aircraft that you were flying was shot down off the coast of Choiseul.
You were in the water 14 hours before Air Sea Rescue picked you up.
Is that right? That's right.
When you got back to your squadron Do you remember your first mission after you were rescued? What about it? A Zero was shot down, the pilot bailed out.
What did you do after you saw the parachute? Why? Answer the question, Lieutenant.
We were off the coast of Bougainville.
I knew the pilot would be picked up, alive, uninjured, able to fly against us the next day.
So what did you do? Isn't it true that you dove on the parachute and Major Boyington had to order you to stop? What was your intention? To kill the Japanese pilot? That's right.
Are you aware that that's in violation of the Geneva Accord? What does it feel like to be in the cockpit during combat, Lieutenant? What's that supposed to mean? Are you frightened? This is a ridiculous line of questioning.
Is it? How would you know? Have you ever been in combat? Colonel, what is the purpose of these questions? To establish Lieutenant Carter's state of mind at the Sengai incident.
Lieutenant Carter is not on trial here.
That's right.
Major Boyington is.
Colonel This isn't a court of law where skilled lawyers fence with each other for semantic points.
A military career is on trial here.
A career that's worth saving.
But I can't prove that to you, I am just a lawyer that wears a uniform, I'm not a soldier.
It's provided in the Navy courts and boards that the defendant in a court-martial can conduct his own cross-examination of a witness.
With your permission, I would like Major Boyington to take over questioning Lieutenant Carter.
We'll have a 10 minute recess.
What did you pull out of your sleeve? I'm not the lawyer, you're the lawyer.
It's a stall.
A stall? What for? Beats it out of me, Major.
We are dying in there.
We're dying in there? I'm the one that's got to die in there.
Look, I can badger that kid and use legal tricks on him all day but what does that prove? That I'm a good lawyer? I've got to prove you're a good commanding officer.
Put us up there.
We'll tell them.
Oh, sure.
With service records like yours? Not a chance.
Pappy! Courier plane was late, but he made it.
Hey, Sarge, you got all dressed up.
Ain't he beautiful? You wanna find out how I earned some of fruit salad, sonny? Not now.
Thanks for coming, Sarge.
I got 20 airplanes lined up.
No one to fly.
I want you back at work.
I found five.
Am I gonna be able to smoke in there? You may not have to go in there, Sergeant.
These are what I need.
And the affidavit.
This pilot of yours, is he any good? T.
J.
? He's one of my best.
If you ever want to get rid of him, send him to me.
I could make a lawyer out of him.
Now let's see what I can do with Teddy Carter.
Major, you have the court's permission to proceed.
That won't be necessary, Colonel.
I'll continue questioning Lieutenant Carter.
I understood With the court's permission.
All right, get on with it.
I never fired on the valley.
I refused to fire.
I saw they were friendly troops.
Then they wouldn't have fired at you? Why would they have fired at me? Oh, that is a good question, Lieutenant.
Colonel, these bullets taken from the underside of Lieutenant Carter's aircraft following the Sengai mission.
This is a sworn statement by the man who found them, Sergeant Andy Micklin, maintenance chief for the 214.
You see those bullets were fired from an M1 rifle, as Sergeant Micklin has verified.
The question is, why would our troops have fired at Lieutenant Carter's aircraft unless Lieutenant Carter was firing at them? You did fire at them, didn't you? No.
They were friendly troops.
We know that now.
But at the time you radioed Major Boyington, you thought you'd seen enemy troops.
I don't know what you're talking about.
You radioed Major Boyington for assistance.
Why? I told you, I saw Panel markers.
I asked him what I was supposed to do.
What color were the markers? I don't knowyellow.
- They were orange.
All right, orange.
- What did you really see in that valley? Panel markers.
Friendly troops.
But you received ground fire.
I didn't say that.
There were bullets in your aircraft.
How many times do I have to repeat myself? I was over the valley.
I saw activity and I went down to see what it was.
When I was coming in over the hills I saw What did you see? I saw troops.
Our troops.
I reported it.
I reported it.
I saw the enemy.
And uh I mean, the panel markers and the prisoners.
Jim, do you see a panel marker down there? There is one down there.
Abort! Abort! Everybody upstairs! You're crazy! - panel marker down there? Abort! Abort! Abort! Abort! Abort! I tried to tell you.
I tried to tell you what was happening.
I told him I saw the enemy down there, the prisoners, I saw the prisoners.
And he told me He told me to attack and there wasn't any time to confirm.
Maybe the panel markers were there, but the enemy could have taken the position after the panel markers were there.
And they could have been wearing the American uniforms.
It is a war, isn't it? Ain't no rules in a war? You think Hitler's playing a parlor game? Stalin? You know I don't know what you want from me.
Am I supposed to take down the name and address of every Japanese soldier I see? Am I? I think we ought to have a 10 minute recess.
No, Colonel, I think we have to hear this.
And we're going to, proceed.
I think we ought to leave this boy alone.
Whether Carter ever fired at friendly troops really isn't important, troops were fired at, there were casualties.
It shouldn't have happened, but it did.
I think Ted Carter saw enemy troops in the Sengai Valley firing at him and acted accordingly.
There were no enemy troops firing at him but Carter believed there were.
It wasn't an error in judgment, it was a delusion.
None of us will ever be sure what Ted Carter saw that day.
Carter himself, he's not even sure what he saw.
But Carter isn't on trial here, as Captain Sawyer pointed out.
Major Boyington is.
Carter asked his commanding officer for assistance and Major Boyington gave him assistance.
As a result, Major Boyington fired on friendly troops.
When he realized it, he aborted the attack, brought his squadron home and reported what had happened.
Can any of you say you wouldn't have done the same thing if one of your men were in trouble, whether that trouble was real or imaginary.
Should that constitute dereliction of duty as a squadron commander, is up to you to decide.
Well? I don't know.
Anybody's got a smoke? Thanks, Jim.
Carter's I did know one thing.
Ted Carter was due for a long spell with the doctors, and I doubt he had quite the future ahead of him his father had hoped for.
I hadn 't liked doing what I did to him, he deserved rest and care, but maybe at last he was going to get it.
Major, they dropped the charges.
Hit the dirt! So far, only one Corsair has been positively identified.
Because of the 20 Japanese flags.
Carter says you ordered the strike, and when you discovered you'd made a mistake, decided to lay it off on him.
- Carter's a liar.
Ted, there were casualties.
You try to hang that on me you'll find this war come crashing down around you.
Carter's family buys and sells senators like you deal in Scotch.
What is it that you're suggesting that I do, sir? Resign your command.
Baa Baa Black Sheep S01E19 - The Last Mission Over Sengai S01E19 - The Last Mission Over Sengai Out of my way, Larry.
Now, wait a minute, Jim.
Don't go jumping to conclusion.
It's time somebody taught that little boy a lesson.
Just wait for confirmation, huh? Come on, you guys.
Jim's going after Carter.
I'm gonna have to knock some ice into you, you get so hot, you can't see anymore.
You stay away from me, Gutterman.
Keep him off Get him off me, get him off me! You keep that maniac away from me.
Cut it out, you, James! All of you! Stay away from me.
All right, you guys.
Knock it off! Knock it off! Now get out of here.
Get out of here and get yourselves a cool walk.
Get going.
I'm not gonna forget about this, Major.
- Carter You're lucky to be alive.
Any one of these men could've planted you with my blessings.
Now, I'll see you in the up shack in five minutes.
You got that, mister? VMF 214 reporting a close air support strike.
Sector 118, grid alpha charley 202, that's the northern end of the Sengai Valley.
As soon as you get strike confirmation, let me know.
Negative.
Black Sheep One.
I wanna say something.
What happened out there today, it wasn't my fault.
I'm not interested in whose fault it was.
Well, I am.
I took ground fire today.
I felt the slugs in the aircraft.
Sit down.
Somebody made a mistake today.
You try to hang that on me, you'll find this war come crashing down around you as though you were the enemy.
You really have that much horse power, Carter? Push me.
Find out.
You get your gear.
You're going to Espritos.
You're out of here this afternoon.
You're really gonna try it, aren't you, Boyington? I've had it with you, Carter.
With you and your silver spoon.
I probably should've grounded you, but I didn't.
Now, that's going to be up to the flight sergeant to decide.
You tell him about your family tree and your father's influence, and whatever great career someone's carved out for you.
You think you can get me on a Section 8? I got news for you Your way way off your head.
What exactly did you see? I saw a panel marker that was red or orange, I don't know what color.
Anybody else see it? - No.
Any markings on it? An arrow or something? Hey, did anybody see Carter? If I were him, I'd go down to the beach with my fancy pistol and blow my brains out.
If you was him, Boyle, you'd probably miss.
Any of you guys see Carter, tell him he got his orders.
- Orders? Wait, wait Hey What does it say? Pappy sending him to the flight surgeon.
It's about time.
That guy's got monkey fever.
Remember the time Greg flamed that Zeke and the pilot bailed out? Oh, and Carter dove down in his parachute? I thought I'd heard of a thing like that, never thought I'd see it.
The man loves killing.
Bob, you mind? So Carter's gonna get a Section 8 and go home.
It's fine.
What's gonna happen to us? There's gonna be an investigation.
Maybe even a court-martial.
Wait a minute.
We don't know those were our troops down there.
I saw the panel markers.
You saw something, Jim.
Going 340, trying not to bounce off trees, you can't be sure what you saw.
Yeah, but if it was It's been confirmed.
Fifth Marines were on a mop-up operation taking prisoners.
Any losses? Yeah.
But they don't know how many yet All the reports aren't in.
My God.
So Carter's gonna get out on Section 8? I don't know what's gonna happen to Carter, and I don't give a damn.
We have been removed from combat status, pending a full investigation.
Now, when the brass and the press get here, I would appreciate it, men, if you would keep your mouths closed for a change.
One of your pals are looking for you.
I don't have any pals here.
My heart bleeds.
Hey, Ted! Here.
Your orders.
Yes.
Maybe I'll see you around, Larry.
Maybe.
We got word from the rear area.
It was one of our own units.
They should've put the markers out.
You can't tell anything from the air without the markers.
I don't know.
Maybe they got covered up or something, you know.
Yeah, maybe.
There's your plane.
Did you see any markers? No, I didn't.
But I was in the last flight, we aborted before we got over the valley.
They didn't put the markers up.
It's their own fault.
Ted, there were casualties.
I thought you'd wanna know.
We have ground reports of repeated attacks, Boyington.
Repeated! Now, how did that happen? One of my pilots made a mistake.
He was separated from the rest of the squad He took a run down the valley and he saw enemy troops What he thought were enemy troops.
He radioed his position for assistance, and since he knew where the ground fire was coming from, he was the first one to fly the first pass.
Ground fire! Enemy troops! My God, Boyington, those were United States marines guarding Japanese prisoners! I know that now, sir.
Well then, what the hell happened out there? Sir, it's possible that That Carter That he got confused and he attacked the wrong position.
But the point is, sir, that when we realized what happened and I gave the orders to abort, my men followed those orders and they aborted.
The point, Boyington, is that United States Marines were wounded in that strafing.
And what was supposed to have been a routine mop-up operation turned into a full scale battle.
It took six hours to secure the area! And more men were lost in that fighting.
Men that would be alive now! You said, Carter? Ted Carter? Yes, sir, I said Ted Carter.
Get him in here, rightaway.
Sir, I sent him to Espritos for a medical evaluation.
Do you know who Ted Carter's father is? Yes, sir.
He wouldn't let us forget it.
General Kane has ordered a full-scale investigation, Boyington.
So far, only one Corsair has been positively identified.
The marines remembered it.
Because there were at least 20 Japanese flags on the fuselage.
Oh, Carter's looks very pleased with himself today.
Major Boyington.
Major, I'm Preston Sawyer from General Kane's headquarters' in New Caledonia.
You know General Moore, Colonel Lard and Colonel Richardson.
Major.
Sit down, Greg.
This is a formal hearing, Major.
What you say will be recorded and transcribed and you'll be asked to sign it.
I understand you have waived the right to be represented by counsel at this hearing.
For this hearing, that's right.
Yes, sir.
Then tell us what happened on your last mission over Sengai.
We were flying close air support for the Choiseul invasion, the enemy was honeycombed into the hill sides and we were dropping 500 pounders I wonder why it's taking so long.
I don't know, but I don't like it.
These MP's remind me of a bunch of vultures, sitting on a tree waiting for old mule to die.
At least General Moore's in there.
He won't let Pappy get railroaded.
He's coming out.
Lieutenant Robert Boyle.
Oh, I got to go in there first.
Just go in there, Bob.
I don't trust that character Sawyer.
Well, he's General Kane's right-hand man.
I've been studying up on all this.
I'm supposed to be the squadron's legal officer.
What'd you tell them, Pappy? We ought to keep our stories straight.
I told them the truth.
And that's what I expect all you guys to do, I expect you to tell them the truth.
Go ahead, Lieutenant, tell us what happened.
Yes, sir.
Well, we just flew an air strike Relax, Lieutenant, go ahead.
Yes, sir.
at the Japanese emplacement.
We went upstairs and we regrouped and then Carter got on the radio Lieutenant Ted Carter? Yes, sir.
He was over the north end of the valley.
But somehow he got separated from the rest of us.
He said he that he was receiving ground fire and he needed assistance.
So Pappy led us over there - Excuse me? By Pappy, I assume you mean Major Boyington? Yes, sir.
Major Boyington.
Thank you.
So Carter knew where the ground fire was coming from, so he led us in.
I was in the back, with Casey, it's Lieutenant Larry Casey, and still coming in over the hill when I heard Pappy on the radio saying that there was a friendly position down there and telling us to abort.
So I pulled up.
Then Carter said that Pappy, the Major, was crazy, that there were a friendly troop for Marines pinned down there in the valley.
And then Carter came around to make pass.
Pappy, chased down after him and told him to get back in the formation.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
Is that all, sir? We have a number of people to interview.
Don't you wanna ask me anymore questions? I don't think that'll be necessary.
Yes, sir.
Thank you very much, Lieutenant.
You're welcome, sir.
That's the last of them.
General? It's preposterous.
Not a single man has corroborated Carter's testimony.
Why should they? They're loyal to their commanding officer.
Captain, eight men sat in here and told the same story, even down to the words in the radio transmissions.
Carter's story was completely different.
Those eight men have had 48 hours to collaborate on their story.
I'm not surprised they used the same words.
General I know the history of this squadron.
If it hadn't been for Boyington, those pilots would have been court-martialed or sitting behind desks, and probably court-martialed.
Well Look at the charges Colonel Lard has filed against this unit in the last six months.
They're derelicts, undesirables And liars.
And that is documented.
Whereas Lieutenant Carter's service record is spotless.
I don't think we can ignore the fact that Boyington asked for psychiatric examination of Carter following the incident.
The doctor's preliminary indicates a clean bill.
Go get Carter.
Not one of them supported your story.
I told you they wouldn't.
Ted I hope to God you know what you are doing.
Once a thing like this gets started, it's hard to stop it.
What am I supposed to do? Protect Boyington? Protect the stainless image of the Marine Corps? Look, it is my job to protect the Marine Corps, and your job to protect yourself.
But I want you to be sure if this thing gets all the way to court-martial, that you will be able to go through with it.
What are you talking about? Why wouldn't I go through with it? You think I'm lying? No.
No.
No, I don't think you're lying.
Lieutenant, you've made serious charges in this inquiry.
If there is any doubt in your mind as to the accuracy of your recollection, or any part of the testimony, or if you would like to reconsider, I suggest you do so now.
I stand behind everything I've said, General.
It's the truth.
Very well, Lieutenant, you're dismissed.
Wait for us outside.
I wanna wait a few days.
Washington wants to know how we're handling this and how we're gonna keep it out of the press.
Are you aware, General, that Navy censors have caught over two dozen letters describing the incident? Every man in the Fifth Marines is talking about it.
I don't buy Carter's story.
I wanna wait until the flight sergeant has more time with it.
Sir General Kane made one thing clear to me, Ted Carter is not leaving his command with a Section 8 on his record.
Then General Kane wants a court-martial? No.
General Kane does not want a court-martial.
He feels it would be tremendously embarrassing.
It would raise questions in Washington as to why VMF 214 exists as a combat squadron under Boyington's command.
It exists, Captain, because I authorized it.
Sit down, Greg.
What I'm gonna say to you in this room is completely off the record.
Come on, come on.
What's going on? Carter says you ordered the strike, and when you discovered you'd made a mistake, decided to lay it off on him.
Do you believe him, sir? Colonel? Doesn't matter whether we believe it or not, Boyington.
There are five officers who are gonna have to be convinced that it isn't true.
You're going for a court-martial.
Pappy's gonna be court-martialed.
Wha What did he say? - Shut up! You have become a thorn in the side of a two-star general.
He wants your wings.
And he's got you right between the rocks and the shoals.
That still doesn't alter the fact that Carter is a liar.
Well, what is it that you're suggesting I do, sir? Resign your command.
Now, wait a minute! I'll transfer you back to Pearl Harbor and I'll do my best bury this whole thing.
Give it a year and I guarantee you eagles.
And the Black Sheep? The squadron will have to be broken up.
They'll all go into the pilots pool.
What happens if I don't jump on this hand grenade, if I just If I just let it go off? Then you'll be charged with dereliction of duty as a commanding officer.
If you're convicted, it'll go on your record and it'll never come off.
You'll be forced to resign your commission.
What happens if I'm not convicted? Greg, Ted Carter's family buys and sells senators like you deal in Scotch.
Presidents come to his father's home for dinner, generals run errands for him.
What do you think the fate of one fighter pilot would mean to a man like that? Joe Carter has plans for his son.
He wants a war hero in the family.
I'll marry his daughter.
What do you want from me, General? There's only one thing matters to me, Greg.
I want to be able to look you in the eye the next time I see you.
How much time do I have? Forty-eight hours.
I accept the court-martial.
You're early today, Colonel.
I'm on duty.
There's supposed to be a Major Boyington here? In the back.
Colonel Ellis? A sad fact but true.
I'm Greg Boyington, sir.
This is T.
J.
Wylie, that's Jim Gutterman.
Why don't you sit down.
Yeah.
Any particular reason to meet in here, Major? Well, I needed an office.
As much as I am up for court-martial, so I figured I'd set up shop someplace where I can be comfortable.
You're pretty cheerful about it.
Colonel? Tell me, Major, we got a lot of bright young men in the section, why'd you pick me to represent you.
T.
J.
checked up on those bright young men.
And none of them were criminal lawyers.
It so happens I was a lousy criminal lawyer.
You're in deep water, Major, and you're sinking fast.
You've got a two-star general out to get your wings and a prosecuting attorney I would've been afraid of in my prime, if I'd ever had a prime.
You might as well let this sea lawyer represent you for all the good I can do.
I got news for you, Colonel.
I think I can beat this court-martial.
You're going to beat it? Well, you got the right to represent yourself.
I think you should.
Better you to have a fool for a client than me.
Pappy.
I got the names on the court-martial board.
The good old rocks and shoals.
Everyone of them's a personal friend of General Kane's, except the president.
That's odd.
The president is Colonel Lard.
He doesn't have to be a friend of Kane's.
He's been trying to put me away for six months.
He's going to get his wish.
You're going down the pipe, son.
And you're an old shyster who doesn't know a winner when he's sitting with one.
You, sea lawyer.
I want a deposition on this Lt.
Carter.
You know how to take a deposition? I was pre-law in college before they kicked me out - Just do it.
And you, get over to Lared's office and tell him - Lard.
Lard.
And tell him I want a copy of every charges ever been made against this Black Sheep squadron or anything else that pertains to this case and if he holds out anything on me, tell him I'll file appeals all the way to Washington and he won't hear the end of this case till the end of the war.
If he's lucky! Get going! Yes, sir.
And you just keep pouring.
I'm in.
Me, too.
I fold.
You know what's spooky about all this? I think Carter really believes you ordered him to strafe that valley.
I mean, he really thinks we're all out to get him to protect ourselves.
Call.
Case Section 8 twice over.
What's that make him, Bobby? Section 16? Section 116.
Everybody out? Gentlemen, I wanna thank you for your contribution to my defense fund.
All right.
T.
J.
, when you talked to Carter did he act differently? Different from what? He's always been a yo-yo.
Yeah, I know that.
But you know, if he's gone bananas he'll act a little differently.
That's not necessarily so, you know.
I had an uncle who's crazy as a fruit tree until he sat down with a psychiatrist or a lawyer or doctor, he was normal as you.
Well, normal as normal people.
You call that normal? Hey, you know what I was wondering? I was wondering if Carter just all of a sudden had an accident.
You guys know what I was thinking? You know, it wouldn't be all that hard to blackmail Lard, and he's the president of the court.
Pathetic bunch of hooligans you all are.
Commanding officer is responsible for the actions all his men, crazy or not.
Look here, old man, aren't you the buffalo who said they're trying to railroad Greg? Now it just seems to me You just proved Carter's point for him.
Maybe you're all out to get him.
I thought you were sleeping.
It's a common misconception.
I was thinking.
Thinking of your strategy? I was thinking how I can get out of this assignment before you derelicts pull me down with you.
Ten.
Hut! I want to talk to you.
You're rapidly losing your one chance to get out of this situation intact, Major.
If you think you can save yourself by discrediting the Marine Corps or Ted Carter, I will personally guarantee you one deep hole with your name at the bottom of it.
You're already scared of this, aren't you, General? You know that Ted Carter's lying.
I don't believe you heard I heard what the General said.
Carter needs psychiatric help.
I was in command of the squadron.
You want to discipline me for what happened, do it, sir.
But don't take my squadron away from me.
Boyington, I'll take everything you ever had away from you.
Before I'm through, you're gonna wish you went down in that last mission over Sengai.
We entered the Sengai Valley from the northern pass, at 0715.
We were a flanking operation under the command of Captain Taylor.
Our job was to contain the enemy as he was flushed from the caves on the hillside, where the main force was on a sweep, Colonel Fein commanding.
But you were under the command of Captain Taylor? Yes, sir.
Where is Captain Taylor now? On a hospital ship off Guadalcanal.
He got shot up pretty bad by the Corsairs.
I see.
When did you first see the Corsairs? We were rounding up prisoners.
Most of them were confused and disoriented.
They hadn't eaten in a week, they were out of ammo, we were giving them chocolate bars and C-rations.
What's with that guy, is he lost? He's coming around again.
What's he doing? Sarge! Hit the dirt! Damn! Oh, God, I got hit! Get on the radio and try to call that idiot! We tried, sir.
We can't raise them by radio.
Why'd they do it? Why? The markers! Where the hell are the markers? You stupid maniac, what are you doing? So the panel markers were not in position? The panel markers were in position, but they were not in the area that we were holding prisoners.
They were all over that valley.
What were the markings on that airplane? I couldn't see them, sir.
What in the name of God is going on here? I don't know, but you better get down, sir! Captain! Radio them Tell them Can't raise them, sir.
Our radios were set at 133.
8, by pre-arrangement with the ground forces for whom we were flying support.
It's not surprising the Fifth Marines couldn't raise us, since they didn't know what frequency we were on.
And how did you happen to be split off from the rest of the squadron, Lieutenant? After dropping my ordnance, the Major ordered me to fly high cover.
The wind at my assigned altitude was in excess 40 knots out of the west, and it carried me over the Sengai Valley.
Major, I got ground activity at Sector 118, looks like it could be trouble.
Take a run, Carter, get a closer look.
Hard to tell what's going on down there, Major.
There's a war going on down there, Carter, and if it wouldn 't be too much trouble, maybe you could lend a hand with it.
You saying I should attack, Major? I want you to drop flowers.
Come on, Jim, let's show them what these planes are made for.
Getting to the boys in the valley? Blast it! So Major Boyington ordered you to attack, despite the fact you weren't sure what was really happening in the valley? Yes, sir.
Only I couldn't do it.
So when I came over the valley the second time Major, those are friendly troops down there! Friendly troops? Pull up, you guys.
Break off! - You don 't give orders up here, I do.
But Greg, if they're friendly Do what I tell you to! Major, there are some panel markers down there! Carter, you get upstairs and stay there, on radio silence! I'll settle with you on the ground.
The rest of you guys, follow me in! Isn't it true, Major, that you never personally liked Ted Carter? Resented having him in your unit, and felt that by recommending psychiatric observation of him following the incident, that you could protect yourself by using Carter as a scapegoat? I object, Colonel.
That's a leading question.
I'd like to answer that question, if it's all right with you.
No, I never liked Carter personally, but he was a member of my unit, I supported him just like I supported anyone else.
And when he radioed me that he was getting ground fire from the Sengai Valley Major, I'm receiving ground fire over the north end of the valley.
Are you hit? - Affirm.
Looks like a company of friendlies pinned down in the mouth of the valley.
I could use some help.
Jim, T.
J.
, can you see his position? Negative, Greg.
He must be on the reverse side of the hill.
Carter, come up to angels one, we'll rendezvous.
I led the squadron over to assist him.
When a pilot's in trouble, you don't question his judgment.
You try and help him.
I see your position, Carter, where's the ground fire coming from? Why don't I lead you in, Major? Roger.
Jim, you guys see a panel marker down there? There's one down there, I just saw it.
Abort! Abort! Everybody upstairs! What're you talking about? Those are friendlies down there, Carter! You're crazy! I'm going down.
Carter! Carter, get upstairs.
Major, those are friendlies pinned down there.
Maybe you won 't do anything about it but I will.
I gave you an order, Lieutenant! Jim, keep everybody up here and keep them frosty.
I'm going down after Carter.
Carter, you don 't follow orders and get upstairs, I'm personally gonna blow you out of the sky! You got that, Lieutenant? Carter, they're friendly.
Don't fire! Carter! Carter! Carter! Lieutenant Carter made the final pass with me behind him.
Then I escorted him up and I ordered him to stay with the squadron.
And then I made one last pass.
To verify the friendly position we'd attacked.
Major, how do you account for the discrepancies between your version of the incident and Lieutenant Carter's? I can't account for it, sir.
Two weeks ago, Lieutenant, the aircraft that you were flying was shot down off the coast of Choiseul.
You were in the water 14 hours before Air Sea Rescue picked you up.
Is that right? That's right.
When you got back to your squadron Do you remember your first mission after you were rescued? What about it? A Zero was shot down, the pilot bailed out.
What did you do after you saw the parachute? Why? Answer the question, Lieutenant.
We were off the coast of Bougainville.
I knew the pilot would be picked up, alive, uninjured, able to fly against us the next day.
So what did you do? Isn't it true that you dove on the parachute and Major Boyington had to order you to stop? What was your intention? To kill the Japanese pilot? That's right.
Are you aware that that's in violation of the Geneva Accord? What does it feel like to be in the cockpit during combat, Lieutenant? What's that supposed to mean? Are you frightened? This is a ridiculous line of questioning.
Is it? How would you know? Have you ever been in combat? Colonel, what is the purpose of these questions? To establish Lieutenant Carter's state of mind at the Sengai incident.
Lieutenant Carter is not on trial here.
That's right.
Major Boyington is.
Colonel This isn't a court of law where skilled lawyers fence with each other for semantic points.
A military career is on trial here.
A career that's worth saving.
But I can't prove that to you, I am just a lawyer that wears a uniform, I'm not a soldier.
It's provided in the Navy courts and boards that the defendant in a court-martial can conduct his own cross-examination of a witness.
With your permission, I would like Major Boyington to take over questioning Lieutenant Carter.
We'll have a 10 minute recess.
What did you pull out of your sleeve? I'm not the lawyer, you're the lawyer.
It's a stall.
A stall? What for? Beats it out of me, Major.
We are dying in there.
We're dying in there? I'm the one that's got to die in there.
Look, I can badger that kid and use legal tricks on him all day but what does that prove? That I'm a good lawyer? I've got to prove you're a good commanding officer.
Put us up there.
We'll tell them.
Oh, sure.
With service records like yours? Not a chance.
Pappy! Courier plane was late, but he made it.
Hey, Sarge, you got all dressed up.
Ain't he beautiful? You wanna find out how I earned some of fruit salad, sonny? Not now.
Thanks for coming, Sarge.
I got 20 airplanes lined up.
No one to fly.
I want you back at work.
I found five.
Am I gonna be able to smoke in there? You may not have to go in there, Sergeant.
These are what I need.
And the affidavit.
This pilot of yours, is he any good? T.
J.
? He's one of my best.
If you ever want to get rid of him, send him to me.
I could make a lawyer out of him.
Now let's see what I can do with Teddy Carter.
Major, you have the court's permission to proceed.
That won't be necessary, Colonel.
I'll continue questioning Lieutenant Carter.
I understood With the court's permission.
All right, get on with it.
I never fired on the valley.
I refused to fire.
I saw they were friendly troops.
Then they wouldn't have fired at you? Why would they have fired at me? Oh, that is a good question, Lieutenant.
Colonel, these bullets taken from the underside of Lieutenant Carter's aircraft following the Sengai mission.
This is a sworn statement by the man who found them, Sergeant Andy Micklin, maintenance chief for the 214.
You see those bullets were fired from an M1 rifle, as Sergeant Micklin has verified.
The question is, why would our troops have fired at Lieutenant Carter's aircraft unless Lieutenant Carter was firing at them? You did fire at them, didn't you? No.
They were friendly troops.
We know that now.
But at the time you radioed Major Boyington, you thought you'd seen enemy troops.
I don't know what you're talking about.
You radioed Major Boyington for assistance.
Why? I told you, I saw Panel markers.
I asked him what I was supposed to do.
What color were the markers? I don't knowyellow.
- They were orange.
All right, orange.
- What did you really see in that valley? Panel markers.
Friendly troops.
But you received ground fire.
I didn't say that.
There were bullets in your aircraft.
How many times do I have to repeat myself? I was over the valley.
I saw activity and I went down to see what it was.
When I was coming in over the hills I saw What did you see? I saw troops.
Our troops.
I reported it.
I reported it.
I saw the enemy.
And uh I mean, the panel markers and the prisoners.
Jim, do you see a panel marker down there? There is one down there.
Abort! Abort! Everybody upstairs! You're crazy! - panel marker down there? Abort! Abort! Abort! Abort! Abort! I tried to tell you.
I tried to tell you what was happening.
I told him I saw the enemy down there, the prisoners, I saw the prisoners.
And he told me He told me to attack and there wasn't any time to confirm.
Maybe the panel markers were there, but the enemy could have taken the position after the panel markers were there.
And they could have been wearing the American uniforms.
It is a war, isn't it? Ain't no rules in a war? You think Hitler's playing a parlor game? Stalin? You know I don't know what you want from me.
Am I supposed to take down the name and address of every Japanese soldier I see? Am I? I think we ought to have a 10 minute recess.
No, Colonel, I think we have to hear this.
And we're going to, proceed.
I think we ought to leave this boy alone.
Whether Carter ever fired at friendly troops really isn't important, troops were fired at, there were casualties.
It shouldn't have happened, but it did.
I think Ted Carter saw enemy troops in the Sengai Valley firing at him and acted accordingly.
There were no enemy troops firing at him but Carter believed there were.
It wasn't an error in judgment, it was a delusion.
None of us will ever be sure what Ted Carter saw that day.
Carter himself, he's not even sure what he saw.
But Carter isn't on trial here, as Captain Sawyer pointed out.
Major Boyington is.
Carter asked his commanding officer for assistance and Major Boyington gave him assistance.
As a result, Major Boyington fired on friendly troops.
When he realized it, he aborted the attack, brought his squadron home and reported what had happened.
Can any of you say you wouldn't have done the same thing if one of your men were in trouble, whether that trouble was real or imaginary.
Should that constitute dereliction of duty as a squadron commander, is up to you to decide.
Well? I don't know.
Anybody's got a smoke? Thanks, Jim.
Carter's I did know one thing.
Ted Carter was due for a long spell with the doctors, and I doubt he had quite the future ahead of him his father had hoped for.
I hadn 't liked doing what I did to him, he deserved rest and care, but maybe at last he was going to get it.
Major, they dropped the charges.