JAG (1995–2005): Season 7, Episode 18 - Hero Worship - full transcript

(alarm sounding)

MAN (over speakers):
Fire! Fire! Fire!

Fire in the galley!

MAN 1:
Henderson,
grab that tank!

MAN 2:
I'm right behind you!

(groans)

(yells)

(coughing and grunting)

(alarm sounding)

You okay?

(straining):
I think so.



(man coughs)

Tim?

What happened, Vinnie?

What caused
the fire?

(coughing)

Were you smoking in there?

(gasping)

(explosion)

(yells)

RABB (chuckles):
We're a-a little confused.

You want us to investigate
a galley fire aboard a ship?

CHEGWIDDEN:
I do.

Both of us, sir?

That was the
SECNAV's request.



He doesn't consider this

a waste
of resources, sir?

They're not his resources,
Colonel.

What are the issues,
Admiral?

Admiral Albrecht,
SURFLANT,

believes that one
of his destroyers,

the USS John Cooper,

is suffering from a...
lack of leadership.

So you really want us
to investigate the skipper?

Discretely.

Have there been complaints?

No, but the fire's
one of a recent series

of incidents aboard that ship.

Admiral, the skipper
will sense what's going on.

And he'll deal with it.

Look, I made it quite clear
to the SECNAV

that you will be acting
as attorneys,

not as some hatchet men.

Your job is
to take a look

at the circumstances only.

And if our findings don't concur

with Admiral Albrecht's
suspicions, sir?

Well, let's just hope
he can be as objective.

(helicopter rotor whirring)

RABB:
Commander Rabb,

Lieutenant Colonel Mackenzie

reporting, Skipper.

Admiral Albrecht told me
to expect you.

How serious
was the damage, sir?

The galley's a wreck.

We'll all be using

the officer's
and chief's galleys

for the time being.

Also, sick bay
was smoked out.

We moved it and
set up a triage

on another level.

How badly were
the men injured?

Could have been worse.

The incident happened

after midnight rations.

Only two sailors
were in the area at the time.

One is fine, the other's being
treated for smoke inhalation.

The sailor who
rescued them, however,

has second-degree burns
on his hands,

and the Fire Control Officer
suffered multiple fractures,

as well as a broken leg,
and was airlifted to Norfolk.

Any sense of how the fire
got started, Skipper?

Not yet.

The ship has twice
as many cas-reps

as the others in its class.

She's the second oldest
destroyer in the Navy, Colonel.

But right now we need
every ship we can get.

Her age
would emphasize

the need for preventative
maintenance, Skip.

I can provide the 3-M schedules.

That would be appreciated, sir.

Talk to the men.

Let me know what you find out.

But keep this in mind.

This is a shakedown cruise

for a lot
of these sailors.

They're green,
and they'll make mistakes.

MAN:
Carl Messing, Admiral.

It's a pleasure.

Nice to meet you.

Please have a seat.
Thanks.

What can I do
for you?

White House chief of staff
has hired me

to produce a live event

at Constitution Hall,
March 16.

The president
will be honoring

all surviving Medal
of Honor recipients.

And... what does this
have to do with me?

Well, the Pentagon
gave me the idea

to use flag officers
as advisors,

and they suggested
that I approach you

as the Navy
and Marine Corps
representative.

Mr. Messing,
let me be honest.

About three years ago
I was asked to serve

as a technical advisor
on a movie

and it was... well, unpleasant.

(chuckles):
You'll be able to perform

most of your duties
on the phone.

All we'll be asking of you
is liaison assistance

and availability to our writers

and production team.

And you're looking for advice?

In matters relating
to protocol,

historical accuracy,

correct attire,
that kind of thing.

We'll provide a stipend
to cover your expenses,

and you'll start working

as soon as these men
are notified.

Admiral, if you have qualms,
maybe I should...

No, I-I'm warming up to it.

I like the idea of the event.

Would you like to see a list

of the Navy and Marine Corps
honorees?

Yes, I would.

Well, I see there's a name
crossed off of here.

Uh, this marine
pass away?

No. Henry Guernsey's
alive.

The White House
Chief of Staff's
office informed me

after a background check
that he was recently arrested

and due in court
just before the event.

So, you don't intend
to include him?

Oh, it has nothing
to do with me.

It was their decision.

Hmm. Fear of bad publicity?

That'd be my guess.

Well... the man served
in Guadalcanal, Mr. Messing.

You don't have to convince me,
Admiral.

I think he should be
in attendance.

Did you make that argument
with them?

Yes.

Is this a deal breaker?

No, I'll do it.

Excellent!

I'll have my staff
contact you.

After I investigate
this situation

with Mr. Guernsey,
I'll let you know.

I'm sure you will,
Admiral.

You asked
to see me, sir?

Lieutenant, walk with me.

Yes, sir.

I completed my review
of the Massuco matter.

I agree
with Colonel Blakely.

He did nothing to warrant
the charge of dereliction.

Thank you, sir.

However, it was
not your finest hour.
No, sir.

I'd like to put
this matter behind us.

As would I, sir.

Are you still interested
in accepting a new assignment?

Uh, Lieutenant Sims and I

are very excited
about it, sir.

Any duty stations
that appeal to you?

Haven't really gotten
that far yet, sir.

I need to make my decision
by the end of the week.

I'll get right on it, and-
and once again, sir,

thank you
for your support.

Thank me when you make
lieutenant commander.

Yes, sir.

RABB:
Seaman, we understand
you were first on the scene.

What can you tell us?

I'd just come off
seven hours of embark training

and was on my way to berthing

when I saw ash floating
in the air.

As I followed it to the galley,
I saw smoke

could hear the sound of coughing
coming from inside

so I yelled,
"Fire in the galley"

grabbed an EEBD
and went in.

What could you see in there?

Two sailors, sir.

Seaman Raff
was unconscious.

Seaman Travino
was about to be.

What could you see
of the fire itself?

The hood system was ablaze, sir.

There were small fires
everywhere.

How did you burn your hands?

A stainless steel shelf,
ma'am.

It had flaming rags on it.

I had to push it out of the way.

You saved these men
with burned hands?

One of them, sir.

How do you think
the fire got started?

That's unclear
to me, sir.

Well, do you have a theory?

Seaman Holly?

Yes, ma'am, I do.

Are you a heavy
smoker, Seaman?

MAN:
Excuse me, sir?

How many cigarettes
do you smoke a day?

I-I don't know, sir.

Whenever I get the chance.

It's not very often.

So what do you do
when you can't light up?

Well, I don't, sir.

Were you smoking
in the galley last night?

No, ma'am.

Seaman Holly
seems to think

that you might
have been.

Well, I-I didn't tell him
anything.

Well, you, uh,
aren't telling us anything,

and we're getting
the same impression.

It's incorrect, ma'am.

So, uh, what do you think
started this fire?

This blaze endangered
the entire crew of this ship

and has impacted its ability
to serve the fleet, Seaman.

Now, you either tell us
what was going on in there

or excuse
your Article 31 rights.

(sighs)

I'm sorry, ma'am,
but I can't say.

MAN:
The charge is shoplifting.

Mr. Guernsey was arrested
after trying to steal

$200-worth
of fishing equipment

from a large
sporting goods store.

Did he admit stealing
this fishing equipment?

No, but he had
no receipt.

Now, here we go.

"Cashier spotted him

"trying to exit through
the entrance gate.

Notified security."

Are you positive
this was a theft?

He fits the profile.

At 80 years old?

It's the fixed-income blues.

I've seen quite a bit of this.

Does Mr. Guernsey have
an attorney?

I don't think so.

Are you considering
military charges, Admiral?

What would I charge him with?

And frankly, why would anyone
charge this man with anything?

The store has strict policies
against pilferage.

There's little we could do
other than make the arrest.

Well, you could try
to talk the store manager

out of filing charges.

Why would I have done that?

I have to explain that to you?!

You obviously have an investment
in this man

that I don't share, Admiral.

Well, you should.

Why?

'Cause he held off
300 Japanese soldiers

with a .45
and a case of hand grenades.

RABB:
Seaman Raff,
you and Seaman Travino

were working in the galley

the night of the fire, correct?
Yes, sir.

And it's a non-smoking area.

That's right, sir.

Was Seaman Travino smoking
that night?

No, sir, he wasn't.

You sure?

Yes, ma'am.

I believe otherwise, Seaman.

I don't know where you got
that information, ma'am.

Are you covering for him?

No, ma'am.

Seaman, are you aware
of the consequences

of making a false
official statement?

Yes, ma'am.

Then why are you lying?

Seaman Travino wasn't smoking

in the galley last night....

I was.

So, you're the one

who started the fire?

Yes, sir.

I'm real sorry
a couple people got hurt.

What happened?

I was cleaning up
after mid-rats

Seaman Travino was the watch.

He came in,
we started talking

and I asked him
for a cigarette and a light.

And he gave them to you?

He thought I'd be going

to the designated smoking area,
ma'am.

But you lit up a cigarette
there in the galley.

It's not his fault, sir.

How did your cigarette
start the fire?

It wasn't the cigarette, ma'am.

It was the lighter.

TRAVINO:
What did you do, Todd?!

Todd, what did...?

(yelling)

(grunting and groaning)

(coughing)

So the rags caught on fire
first?

Yes, ma'am.

I was standing too close
to the shelf at the time.

I accidentally lit one.

How much time elapsed
between the rags catching fire

and the room filling with smoke?

Less than a minute, sir.

A minute? That fast?

My second mistake was thinking
that I could put it out myself.

I should have yelled, "Fire"
and dragged Vinnie out of there.

Seaman Holly did that for you.

Yeah, I owe him my life, sir.

Do you realize how serious
this is, Seaman Raff?

Yes, ma'am.

I almost killed my best friend.

MAN:
Fantail Review Crew,
make ready to cease operations.

He admitted culpability?
RABB:
He did, Skipper.

MACKENZIE:
Given the nature
of the incident--

injury to crew members
and damage

to government property--
we're recommending

an Article 32 hearing.

Thank you, but
I intend to
settle this

with a mast
aboard ship.

Captain, do you feel

a mast would be sufficient
in this case?

I'm going to make him do
a rug dance, Colonel,

and stick him in the brig
with bread and water.

He's got a long
road back to
respectability.

This is a serious offense,
Captain.

This is a young man
who made a young
man's mistake.

Now, it's my intention
to scare him

into never making
another like it,

but if I drag him
into a courtroom

I'll damage him forever.

We still have to file
our recommendations

with your chain of command.

I understand.

Can't figure me out, Commander?

Just thought you'd be relieved

it wasn't your fault,
Skipper.

ROBERTS:
What about Europe?

Well, wouldn't that mean
taking little A.J.
out of preschool?

Well, yeah.

I mean,
he's just now starting

to learn how to relate
to other children.

Well, there are children
everywhere, Harriet.

I know.

It would also mean
that we would have to put off

buying the house
for a little while.

Well, I thought that
you said that you
were okay with that?

(phone rings)

Well, I mean, we
could still do it

if you were
on a carrier.

You'd just be gone
for six months
out of the year.

Well, maybe
that's the way to go.

You could be stationed
in a battle zone.

Harriet, the flight deck
of a carrier

is safer
than the streets of D.C.

Well, what are
the other possibilities?

Reykjavik and Burkina Faso.

You can scratch Reykjavik--

way too many
pretty girls.

And the other place sounds
like the seventh level of hell.

Harriet, I'm confused here.

Last time we talked about this,

you were making
all the opposite arguments.

I know.

That's before
your career was threatened

and I realized how important
our time is together.

CHEGWIDDEN:
Wouldn't be the first captain

to resist giving up
control, Commander.

(over speaker phone):
Nonetheless, COMSURFLANT agrees
with your assessment.

Even if the circumstances don't
directly implicate the captain,

Admiral Albrecht still wants
to send him a strong message.

As a result, he's assuming
disposition authority

and has initiated Article 32
proceedings against Seaman Raff.

Colonel, you'll be
trial counsel.

Commander, you'll defend.

Aye, sir.
Aye, sir.

RAFF:
I appreciate your interest
in my case, sir.

Well, you can thank me
after we avoid court-martial.

Do you have
a plan, sir?

Well, you've already
admitted guilt

in the matter, Seaman, so...

we can avoid a hearing
and the possibility

of confinement by
pleading this out.

What could I expect
from that, sir?

I'm sure we could
avoid anything
harshly punitive

but in return, Seaman,
you're probably looking

at a civilian career.

I like the Navy, sir.

So do I.

And what if I plead
not guilty, sir?

I'll try to convince
the hearing officer

the fire wasn't your fault

and the case shouldn't
go to court-martial.

Look, sir, I feel sick
about what happened

but I don't want
to get kicked out.

I know I can be a better sailor

than the one you see
sitting in front of you.

So, you want to plead
not guilty?

Yes, sir.

(dog barking)

Mr. Guernsey?

Yes?

I'm A.J. Chegwidden,
the Navy JAG.

Should I be worried?

Uh, no, sir.
Not at all.

Can I speak with
you a moment?

What's it about?

Well, I'm a bit of
a war history buff.

Came across
your biography.

I was especially
impressed

with your record
at Guadalcanal.

Thought I'd meet
the man himself.

(laughing):
This is a first.

Uh, I'm sorry

about the untidiness.

Household matters were
my wife, Bea's, expertise.

Can I offer you
something to drink?

Uh, what are
my choices?

Prune juice or water.

Um, water's fine.

How did you manage
to hold off that many men?

Two dozen grenades...

can do a lot of damage.

(chuckles)

How old were you?

21...

and stupid enough
to think I could
pull it off.

Do you mind
telling me the story?

What story?

How you received
your Medal of Honor.

Oh, well, uh...

I was dragging
a grenade case

up Hill 235

when a Banzai
charge started
500 feet below me.

I think, uh, let me see...

I... well, I yanked the lid off

and I started lobbing grenades
with one hand

and firing my pistol
with the other.

(chuckles)

Would-would
you like

something to drink?

I'm fine, thanks.

Were you wounded?

By my own shrapnel.

That's 'cause I couldn't throw
far with my left hand.

(laughs)

So, uh,
so, how are you doing?

You getting along okay?

Got some trouble with the law.

It's the craziest thing.

They think I was stealing
fishing gear.

Was it a misunderstanding?

I know I paid for it.

I mean, I gave the woman
exact change.

Did you get a receipt?

Yeah...

it's somewhere.

Well, maybe
I can help you look for it.

Oh, the Navy doesn't
have enough for you
to do, Admiral?

(chuckles)

Uh...

Hmm...

Uh...

Ah...

Oh, here it is.
Here it is.

Nah...

I must have forgot
to record it in the register.

I thought you said
you paid cash for it.

I did.

(dog barking)

MACKENZIE:
Petty Officer LaGreco,

as the leading petty officer
in the enlisted mess,

did you ever catch Seaman Raff
smoking in the galley?

Once, ma'am.
I could smell
it in the air.

Told him
not to do it again.

Did you, two days prior
to the fire

instruct him
to scrub down
the hood system?

Yes, ma'am. It hadn't been
touched in two weeks.

Uh, the preventative
maintenance system

requires it be cleaned weekly

otherwise, you get
a dangerous buildup

of grease in the system.

If a fire were to start
under such conditions

what would be the likely result?

It would spread more quickly.

Was the seaman deficient
in other areas?

Well, he had
a tendency

to flip greasy rags onto a metal
shelf and leave them there.

What's the proper procedure?

To bag them
and send them to Laundry.

Thank you.
No more questions.

Petty Officer,
was the fire control system

in the hood vent turned off
at the time of the fire?

Yes, sir, it was.

Did you order
that done?

I did, sir.

It was
malfunctioning,

going off during
normal use.

Is that significant?

The fire started
away from the cooking deck.

Well, that's what's alleged,
but given the fact

that the hood itself
was on fire

would the system have not helped

in such a
situation?

LaGRECO:
It could have, sir, but
the fire was widespread

and there's no guarantee

the hood system would have been
able to control it.

TRAVINO:
Seaman Raff was lighting
up at the time, ma'am.

And everything
was fine.

And then, suddenly,

the rags on the shelf
were on fire.

Did he try
and put them out?

Oh, yes, ma'am.

Seaman Raff went for
the fire extinguisher.

And see, he'd been swabbing
the deck

so I grabbed
the bucket of water.

But some of it spilled
on the floor,

and I slipped and I banged
my head.

The last thing
I heard were
the alarms.

Seaman Travino,
did Seaman Raff know

that smoking was restricted
in the galley?

(helicopter propeller whirring)

I reminded him of that, ma'am,

when I gave him
the cigarette
and the lighter.

MacKENZIE:
But he ignored you?

Yes, ma'am.

He said that he smoked
under the hood all the time.

Thank you, Your Honor.

The Government rests.

Commander Rabb?

When Seaman Raff lit up

in front of you,
did you try to stop him?

He knew how I felt
about it, sir.

But you only warned him once?

Yes, sir.

Thank you.
I have no further questions.

MASTER CHIEF:
What are you looking for, sir?

Alternative theories

as to how the
fire got started.

Didn't Seaman Raff
start it, sir?

Well, the Seaman's
pleading not guilty.

You think
you can help me out?

I'll do what
I can, sir.

What about
the deep fryer, here?

Is it possible
that it was left on

and the hot oil ignited?

Well, you see that
burn pattern, sir?

That would indicate
that the fire started

where the shelf
unit was.

What about paper goods
near the burners?

Uh, it was after
mid-break, sir.

Burners would have been
turned off.

Electrical?

Sir, do you honestly plan
to catch anything today?

Well, I'm not going to catch
anything, Master Chief,

if I don't drop
a hook in the water.

Well, it didn't look like
an electrical fire, sir.

Did you check
the wiring?

Only where there
was fire damage.

What about
this burn pattern, here?

What would that indicate?

(popping and crackling)

That would indicate
a short, sir.

You think that
that happened prior to

or as a result of
the fire?

Uh, it's hard
to say, sir.

Well, if it happened
prior to,

this is likely
the cause of the fire.

And you can make that
argument fly, sir?

With your help
I can, Master Chief.

RABB:
Master Chief, you headed
the fire inspection team

and filed the initial
damage report.

Is that correct?
Yes, sir.

Now, based on a recent
inspection of the galley

what are your findings?

I discovered a spark
in the electrical short

in the power supply.

Objection.
Relevance, Your Honor?

Your Honor,

I'm trying to establish
alternative theories

as to how the fire got started.

I'll allow it.

Where was
the short located?

MASTER CHIEF:
In a transmission box.

And what lived
in that section of the galley?

A steel shelf, sir.

The steel shelf that contained
the grease-soaked rags?

Yes, sir.

Is it possible,
Master Chief,

that the fire was started
by a spark igniting the rags?

Yes, sir.

Thank you.
I have no further questions.

Master Chief, wouldn't you say

the chance
of the circuit tripping

at approximately the same time
that Seaman Raff was lighting

a cigarette is improbable?

Objection. Speculation
and argumentative.

He's got you two ways,
Colonel.

Try again.

Do you recall an instance
on any ship

where a freak spark
caused a fire?

No, ma'am, but that
doesn't mean it can't.

But your initial assessment

didn't even consider
that possibility.

Well, most galley fires
are flame-based.

Thank you.
Except, perhaps

in this case...

No more questions.

Look, I want Henry Guernsey
back on the list.

You spoke
to the police?

I talked to the officer
assigned to the case

and the store manager where
the alleged theft occurred.

And are the charges
being dropped?

Not yet.

Well, nothing's changed.

Mr. Guernsey was
falsely accused.

(sighs)

I'm absolutely convinced of it.

He didn't steal anything.

He simply forgot to pay.

He is an elderly man.

He gets confused at times.

Can you prove this?

Not conclusively.

I wish I could help
you, Admiral,

but I got the White House
Chief of Staff

questioning my every decision.

Henry Guernsey's got to be
without baggage

for me to get him
on that list.

Henry Guernsey is a hero.

Undervaluing his contribution
because he's-he's imperfect

makes us look petty
and thoughtless.

I don't disagree with you.

So why aren't you
fighting with me?

Because I can't save him

without jeopardizing
my ability to do my job.

Waiting for
the corpsman?

Yeah, I need to get
these dressings changed.

Trial seems
to be going better.

Yeah, well, we'll see.

Your family know?

My mom.

The last time
I talked to her

she was crying so hard

I couldn't even hear
what she was saying.

How about your dad?

He died three years ago.

I'm sorry.

They were divorced.

I didn't see much of him anyway.

Tim...

You've thanked me twice already,
Todd.

I'm alive because of you.

So you'll return the favor.

Have any ideas?

(chuckling):
Don't worry about?

I worry about everything.

Can I tell you something
my dad told me?

Yeah, yeah, sure.

No one ever overcame a problem
by wrinkling his forehead.

Was he a teacher or something?

Former Squid.

So was my grandfather

and his father.

Four generations, huh?

It's a big deal in my family.

He must be proud of you.

So far.
He just expects a lot.

They all had spotless records.

My dad received
the Navy Commendation Medal.

So will you.

I just need to keep it up
for the next 20 years.

Thanks again, man.

MEDIC:
Seaman Holly?

Yeah. Come on over.

Mac.

No deal, Harm.

You don't even know
what I have to offer yet.

You wouldn't be offering

if you thought
you had the leverage

to keep your client
in the Navy.

I wouldn't be so sure.

Admiral Albrecht won't bite.

He feels if the seaman remains

it'll be sending
the wrong message

to the captain.

What if the case is dismissed?

He'll live with it.

Oh, the admiral might have
to, Mac.

This is an old ship.

In fact, if I wanted, I could
bring the captain's inability

to hold her together
back into the argument.

You won't.

Besides,
a little reasonable doubt is

hardly enough to make me fold.

Look, just hear me out.

Go ahead.

Reduction in rate,
one pay grade.

Forfeiture one month's pay.

The seaman stays in the Navy.
No confinement.

Too lenient.

Look, I'm just trying to avoid
getting him discharged.

You can do what you want
with rest of it.

The rest of it is insignificant.

He's got to go.

Present it
to Admirable Albrecht, Mac.

See what he has to say.

The offer's on the table.

Your table is missing a leg.

I'll see you in court.

Ah, this looks good.

Ah, yeah.

You think this is
weird, don't you?

Well, I, you know,
it's, uh...

it's different.

I-I'm sorry.

You know, I've actually been
seen smiling before.

Well, now you've got
a whole hour to practice.

Yeah. I think the last
time I had a picnic

was with my SEAL unit,
eating sea rations

and sharing with a pack
full of tree rats.

Should we invite
the squirrels?

Present company's fine,
thank you.

Good.

So what do you
have in there?

Tapas--
Spanish appetizers.

Make 'em yourself?

I do everything myself.

Well, I'm impressed.

Want to try one?

Absolutely.

It's an mini-empanada.

Like it?

Mmm.

Oh, good, 'cause I made
a million of 'em.

Are you always this reflective?

It's just, uh,
one of those days.

Do you want to talk about it?

I don't want to bother you.

Well, I'd be flattered
if you did.

Okay.

I recently met this
Medal of Honor recipient.

When he was in his early 20s,

he did this...
extraordinary thing.

Now he's in his 80s.

His wife has passed away.

He's living alone

and he's having trouble
taking care of himself.

Well, because of that,
he's been excluded

from this event where all other
surviving war heroes

have been invited to...

Have you lobbied on his behalf?

As far as I can go.

Hmm. And now you're trying
to figure out

a way to help him?

Oh, Meredith, the man deserves
to be honored.

Yeah.

So what's stopping you?

(dog barking)

Mr. Guernsey?

Admiral.

What do you got there?

Marine dress blues.

I didn't know your size,
so I brought three along.

Why don't you try one on.

Is there a reason for this?

Yes, sir, there is.

Um, you still have
your Medal of Honor?

Of course.

I'd like you to wear it
on this uniform.

(grunts)

Oh... hmm?

What are you doing?

I'm looking for a screwdriver.

Mr. Guernsey,
can I be honest with you?

Of course.

I think you might need
some help around the house.

(chuckles)

I know I do.

Have you ever considered
a roommate?

Are you that lonely?

(laughing):
No, sir.

There's an agency in D.C.
that puts together seniors

who aren't interested
in retirement homes

and assisted living.

I'll pay the fee.

All you have to do is go in
for a series of interviews

until you find someone
you think you can live with.

That sound like an idea.

Good.

Good.

Want to try on a uniform?

Well, what's this for?

What are you doing
the evening of March 16?

GUERNSEY:
Getting older.
What are you doing?

Taking you someplace.

MACKENZIE:
Your Honor, I'd like to recall

Seaman Travino
to the stand.

Seaman, I'll remind you,
you're still under oath.

I understand, sir.

You may proceed, Colonel.

MacKENZIE:
Thank you, Your Honor.

Seaman Travino, you testified
that prior to the fire

Seaman Raff had been
swabbing the deck.

Is that correct?

Yes, ma'am.

Do you remember him
moving anything

so he could swab behind it?

He moved the steel shelves
with the rags on it, ma'am.

Was it a rolling shelf?

Yes, ma'am.

With wheel locks.

We're the wheels locked
at the time?

No, ma'am.

How far did he move it?

About three
feet, ma'am.

Was it away from the wall
when the fire started?

Yes, ma'am.

The wall with the transformer
box on it?

That's correct, ma'am.

Far enough away
to rule out the chance

that a spark
from that box

ignited the rags?

Objection.
Speculation.

Sustained.

Thank you, Seaman.

(man speaking indistinctly
over intercom)

Figured you'd have stopped
by now.

(chuckling):
It's been a
tough week sir.

Don't tell me

you're giving
up on me.

Can I ask you
a question, sir?

Why does all this
matter to you?

I was young once, too,
Raff, and sometimes stupid.

A few times along the way

people I hardly knew
helped me out.

And you didn't deserve

that help, sir?

Ah, no one knew
that at the time.

They just took a chance.

Same way you're taking
a chance on me, sir?

(flicks lighter)

Is that the same type of lighter
that Seaman Travino lent you

the night
of the fire?

Yes, sir, it is.

Do me a favor, would you?
Dial that up,

high as it'll go.

Those rags--

were they about
the same level
as the flame

or were they above it?

Ah, they were about even
with my shoulder, sir. Why?

What are you thinking?

I can't believe a flame that low
would ignite those rags.

No, the flame was
much higher, sir.

How much higher?

RABB:
I've been considering
different types of gases

that might accelerate
a fire, Master Chief.

If you don't mind me
asking, sir,

do you ever just say,
"to hell with it"?

(chuckling):
No, but that might
not be such a bad idea.

What types of gases
did you have in mind, sir?

Propane, for one.

Oh, propane's
quite an accelerant,

but, uh, galleys are
all electric.

Naphthalene?

Acetylene?
Hydrogen?

Not in here, sir.

Oxygen?

Sick Bay, sir.

It's right around
the side of this bulkhead.

Rescue units have some.

You wanted to see me, sir?

Yes, Seaman, I was told
that these oxygen tanks

are your responsibility.

Yes, sir, they go
in that locker.

Sick Bay's
actually scheduled

for cleanup today.

Were these tanks unsecured
at the time of the fire?

They were, sir.

Their locker

was under repair,
so I left them here.

I meant to get
back to them

the next day.

A valve was open
on this one.

The tank is empty.

Empty?

It shouldn't be empty, sir.

I was checking the tanks
at the time, sir.

I must have gotten distracted.

It could have fallen
against the wall

which would have forced
the valve open.

Thank you, Seaman.

Uh, that'll be all.

Thank you, sir,
for calling it to my attention.

I'll round up some guys,
get it done ASAP.

Bea and I were married
at that church.

How long's she been gone?

Four years.

I slipped on the rice
coming down the stairs

and I broke my elbow.

All those war wounds

and it's the only thing
that still hurts.

(chuckling)

So, are you going to tell me
where we're going?

Not until we get there.

RAFF:
You saying I'm not responsible
for the fire, sir?

No, we're not getting
out of this that easy.

You're responsible
but only partly.

I don't
understand, sir.

The galley's air was
highly oxygenated

due to an open valve
on an air tank,

which leaked into the galley's
ventilation system.

The oxygen acted
as an accelerant,

causing the lighter to flare
higher than it would have

under normal circumstances.

So is that why the rags
caught fire so quickly?

Yeah. Why a small,
controlled fire

quickly became uncontrolled.

In simple terms,
the air itself was flammable.

And you can
prove this, sir?

Look, there's a phenomenon
called a "flashover"--

a large burst of flame.

It could only happen
in this type of scenario.

Seaman Holly mentioned
he experienced one

while rescuing you.

Seaman always seems
to be there when
I need him, sir.

Yeah, well, the Seaman himself
was not fully without blame.

He failed to secure
those tanks.

Excuse me, sir?

I'm going to argue
mitigating circumstances.

Sir, I lit that cigarette
against regs.

Look, I understand
you feel grateful

to Seaman Holly, but...

No, sir, I'm indebted to him.

He saved my life.

Seaman Holly is a good sailor.
He'll overcome the fallout.

That's not fair to him, sir.

Please don't do this.

If Seaman Holly
has to suffer

as a result of me,

it would be
an even greater injustice.

I've caused enough people pain.

I'd rather just walk away.

(sighs)

All right, I'll make a case
for leniency

with the hearing officer.

I'll file a separate memo
with the captain

dealing
with the unsecured tanks.

I won't name names.
Don't worry.

That'll be all.

(snaps heels together)

Thank you, sir.

(sighs)

MAN:
That's great.

Couple more shots...

GUERNSEY:
Looks like
there's a to-do

at Constitution Hall.

There are people in uniform.

(engine stops)

Well, this looks familiar.

Cole's Tavern,
88 years old.

I think this is where
I celebrated

my return from the Pacific.

I know it is.

(men laughing)

(jazzy tune playing)

MAN:
Henry!

(all cheering)

Recognize these men,
Mr. Guernsey?

Hell, I could smell them.

(laughter and cheering)

Say hello to Second Platoon,
Bravo Company.

Ain't we pretty?

(raucous laughter)

You're looking good, Henry,
you're looking good.

Henry.

CHEGWIDDEN:
Some of these
men traveled

as far as
3,000 miles

to see you,
Corporal Guernsey.

I don't know
what to say.

How about, "Drinks on me"?

(cheering and laughter)

Jake... the last time
we were in here...

we were toasting
to the men we lost.

Now, it's to the one who's
found.

ALL:
Here, here!

(glasses clinking)

(men chatting amiably)

MACKENZIE:
In conclusion, Seaman Raff,
by his own admission

willfully disobeyed
a standing order

prohibiting smoking
in a restricted area

and set off a blaze
that resulted in damage

and bodily injury.

Based on the facts,
Your Honor,

there is more
than sufficient cause

to recommend this matter
to court-martial.

Thank you.

Your Honor, we're at war.

Every ship in the United States
Navy is needed.

The John Cooper is an old ship.

She has been pressed
into service.

This was her shakedown cruise.

We've heard testimony
that not everything aboard her

is in good working order

and that that contributed
to the severity of the incident.

But she is being repaired,

and she will take her place
inside the fleet.

At the moment, sir, the U.S.
Navy needs every sailor.

Seaman Raff
is 18 years old.

Yes, by smoking in the galley,
he defied regulations

and endangered the ship.

But who among us can claim

that he or she did not make
similar mistakes?

And most of us were given
a second chance.

In the course of defending
this young man,

I have come to know Seaman Raff

as a decent and caring
individual.

He has expressed great remorse

at the damage
his actions have caused

and I believe, sir, that he,
too, deserves a second chance.

Please, Your Honor,
don't let one stupid mistake

ruin this young man's career.

Will the accusing counsel
please rise?

I've reviewed the evidence
and Seaman Raff's file.

I find his character
to be upstanding

and his service record--
while brief-- commendable.

That said, there's no greater
danger on board ship than fire.

Therefore, I find it difficult

to excuse even a single act
of negligence--

one that seriously injured
two sailors

and endangered hundreds.

For this reason,
I have no choice

but to find Seaman Raff culpable

and recommend this matter
be referred to court-martial

for the charges as preferred.

This hearing is adjourned.

(gavel pounds)

You okay?

Yes, sir.

I gave up smoking
last night.

Good for you.

You know, it took me a month
to get over the cravings.

Yeah, well, if
I don't make it, sir

you can have my watch.

(chuckles softly)

I'm sorry.

Thought for a time
your speech might
turn it around, sir.

Any regrets?

No, sir.

Well, good luck, Seaman.

My door is always open.

Thank you, sir.

(MacKenzie sighs)

What was that about?

The cost of loyalty.

You want to explain that?

You ever heard the saying

"the greatest thing
you'll ever do in this life

is that which will cost us
the most"?

No.

Good, then maybe
I just made it up.

Thank you both
for your efforts.

I have nothing
against Seaman
Raff, sir.

I wish him the best.

We'll see what happens.

RABB:
I think it already
has, Skipper.

SKIPPER:
I'm sorry?

Seaman Raff will weather this.

You see something in him?

I see something in
this ship, Skipper.

She's old,
but she's experienced.

It's a hell of a place
to grow up.