JAG (1995–2005): Season 7, Episode 2 - New Gun in Town - full transcript

After Mac postpones her wedding indefinitely, after Mic returns to Australia and the Royal Australian Navy, and while Harm continues to convalesce, Mac seeks to avoid questions from friends by requesting a temporary assignment away from the JAG headquarters and out of town. She asks to investigate a disappearance of a Marine major from a ship at sea; the admiral sends both her and Gunny to the ship in the Indian Ocean. Under interesting circumstances Mac and Gunny find their man, who unwittingly nudges Mac toward some introspection. Meanwhile an airman taxies an aircraft and makes a short flight with an unhappy ending; a new character, Cdr. Turner, prosecutes, and Harm defends. Harm reaches for the stars and brings about a bright conclusion to that case; he further takes his client for an exciting ride.

(over speakers):
...stand by to recover
inbound helo.

Major Holmes, please stay clear
of the foul line, sir.

Right. Sorry, but there's
a pilot I need to interview

as soon as he lands.

I'll bring him to you, sir.

Just stay clear
of the foul line.

His name's Captain Campbell.

Major Holmes needs
to see you, sir.

Major Holmes!

Major Holmes!

FDO, be advised, you have
a man overboard, starboard side.



INTERCOM:
Bridge, Pri-Fly.

We have a man overboard,
starboard side.

Roger that.

Left full ruder.

Port engine stop.

Execute a Williamson turn.

Stand by,
the duty lifeboat party.

Stand by, the saw bird.

Stand by, signal bridge.

This is not a drill.

Man overboard.

(phone rings)

Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie,
good morning.

(laughs):
Oh.



I love you, too.

So, when do I book my trip back
for the wedding?

Mac?

Um, I have news about Mic.

Something happened to him?

He's not hurt, is he?

He went back to Australia.

Oh.

So, when's he coming back?

He's gone, Chloe...

forever.

His choice.

He dumped you?

Yeah.

But why would he do that?

Because I didn't love him
with all my heart.

Is Harm there with you?

No. He's at a funeral.

Renee's father died.

Chloe, I'm not going
to discuss this any further.

You don't need to.

I know what happened.

Harm happened.

I love you.

(line clicks, dial tone drones)

(sighs)

Well, good morning, sunshine.

RENEE:
He looks so peaceful.

RABB:
Yeah, he does.

Dad's wearing
his favorite suit.

Oh.

Uh, it's... it's becoming.

I wish you
two had met.

(sniffles):
Well, it's
too late now.

Why don't we join
the others.

Okay.

(sniffles)

Good-bye, Daddy.

Hello, Renee.

Oh, Cyrus.

Oh...

Mother sends
her condolences.

Cyrus Fortney,
Commander Harmon Rabb.

Nice to meet you.

RABB:
Yeah, you, too.

RENEE:
He looks wonderful.

Oh, well, Renee, he's your dad,
so I took special care of him.

Cyrus does all
of the work himself.

Really?

You know, so much
of the hands-on work

is farmed out these days.

Well, that's interesting.

Renee, why don't you
and, um, uh, um...

Cyrus.

...Cyrus catch up, and I'm
going to wait for you outside.

Okay.

Okay. So, nice meeting you.

Take care.

Mrs. Petersen.

Why, Renee tells me
that you're leaving

right after the service.

Yes, ma'am. I need
to get back to Washington ASAP.

Nonsense.

I'm sure that no man
wants to hear this, but...

JAG can manage without you.

(both laugh)

Mrs. Petersen, I'd really
just be in the way here.

Oh, not at all.

And I know it would
mean the world to Renee

to have you close.

She dotes on you.

That's Cyrus Fortney.

Yes, yes. We met.

Well, Cyrus is
a lovely boy.

He and Renee were
sweethearts for years.

But she...

forgot all about him

when he went
to embalming school.

Well, imagine that.

Do you know that

that casket is
solid bronze?

Weighs a ton.

Wow.

It will keep
my husband safe

for at least a hundred years.

SINGER:
Good morning, ma'am.

MacKENZIE:
Good morning, Lieutenant.

Did you talk
to Mic, Colonel?

No. Did he call?

No.

Well, then what?

About rescheduling
the wedding.

Uh, it's off.

Off?

Yeah. Mic went back
to Australia.

That's terrible.

You must feel dreadful.

I mean, when? Uh, why?

If you'd like to talk
about it, ma'am,

I'm here for you.

ROBERTS:
Good morning, ma'am.
Morning.

Harriet and I left
the weekend open

in case you decide
to reschedule.

So you let us know
where and when.

We'll be there
with bells on.

That'll be
when hell freezes over.

Good morning, Colonel.

So, when's the big day?

Tiner, no questions.

Get me in to
see the admiral.

That's an order.
Y-Yes, ma'am.

This is the message
traffic you asked
for, ma'am.

Admiral, Colonel MacKenzie would
like a word with you, sir.

Send her in.

Aye, sir.

Sir, I've just learned
Major Miles Holmes,

the Staff Judge Advocate

for the Marine
Expeditionary Unit

aboard the Guadalcanal,

was reported missing at sea
last night.

I've seen the OPREP
and casualty reports.

The Amphibious Ready Group
is on joint maneuvers

with the Indian Navy, Admiral.

They need a lawyer to advise
on Rules of Engagement.

And to help conduct
an investigation

into the disappearance
of Major Holmes.

What has that got
to do with you?

I want the assignment, Admiral.

Colonel, that's a step
backward for you.

It doesn't matter, sir.

Well, I'm shorthanded
right now.

I don't think
I can spare you.

Sir, Commander Rabb returns

from convalescent leave
tomorrow.

Only if I think he's ready.
I'm sure he will be.

And once he's back,
you'll never miss me.

You underestimate your value.

Have a seat, Mac.

You want to tell me
why you checked

the message traffic
for the first assignment

that'd take you out of town?

No, sir, respectfully.

Just received a request

to forward
Commander Brumby's records

to the Royal Australian Navy.

He's returned
to active duty.

Well, he missed
the seafaring life, sir.

No, Mac. He, uh...
he missed out on you,

and that makes him
one damn fool.

Is that why
you're asking

for a T.A.D.
assignment?

Sir, I just can't talk
about this one more time.

Job's yours.

That'll be all.

Thank you, sir.

Colonel, uh,

take the gunny with you.

I can take care of myself,
Admiral.

Oh, I know-- it's the marines
aboard the Guadalacanal

that I want to protect.

Ma'am.

Gunny, how long
will it take you

to throw some things
in a sea bag?

I keep one packed,
Colonel.

Then meet me
at Andrews at 1300.

Going out
to the Guadalacanal, ma'am?

That's affirmative,
Gunny.

Figures, ma'am.

What makes you think that,
Gunnery Sergeant?

Do you really believe

that I'm running away
from my life here at JAG?

Do you think that
a simple thing like...
Ma'am,

the missing Staff Judge
Advocate is a marine.

It's natural you'd
request the assignment.

Exactly.

GERGEN:
As you know, from our first
interview, Commander,

a mishap investigation report

by the safety review board
is strictly confidential.

Today I want to talk to you

about what happened
after you ejected.

You suffered
short-term memory loss.

Do you have
your memory back?

As far as I can tell.

The incident report indicates
equipment failure post-ejection.

I was hoping you could
clear up a few details.

Why did you take
your helmet off

while you were still
in your descent?

Shroud lines were
wrapped around me.

I was being strangled.

You're aware

the NATOPS manual says
to keep your helmet on?

I made a judgment call,
Commander.

I wanted those damn lines off me
before I hit the water.

You cut your way
out of your risers.

Yeah, well, the release jammed.

There's nothing wrong
with this release, Commander.

You know, Commander,

it's one thing to stand
in front of me

and pop that thing open,
but I can assure you

when I was underwater,
it didn't work.

When the Viking first flew
over your position

why didn't you use your flares?

Well, the first one failed,

and by the time
I got to the second one

the Viking disappeared...

Or did you panic, Commander?

I didn't panic.

Then why didn't you follow
standard emergency procedures?

I was fighting for my life,
Commander,

being tossed about
in eight- to ten-foot seas.

I did what I thought best.

And everything wasn't working
the way it's supposed to.

The fact is,
during this incident,

you did nothing by the book.

Hey, if I did everything wrong,
why am I still alive?

Because, Commander,

somebody up there likes you.

Huh. Well, he can't
like me too much--

I'm in here with you, aren't I?

Thank you, Commander.

That'll be all.

Commander,

after all that's happened

are you sure you want
to stay current?

Yeah.
There've been
a lot of guys

who have gone through a lot less
who don't have it in them

to eject
a second time.

Well, I'm not one of those guys.

Let's hope you don't have
to find out.

(over P.A.):
Lieutenant Commander Tyler,
please report to the bridge.

Lieutenant Commander Tyler,
please report to the bridge.

Welcome aboard, ma'am.

Thank you.

The captain requests
your presence on the bridge.

MAN:
JAG on deck.

Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie
and Gunnery Sergeant Galindez

reporting as ordered, sir.

Stand at ease.

You want to talk
about Major Holmes.

When you have time, sir.

I have time now.

He was a friend
of yours?

An acquaintance, sir.

And why was
the major on deck

during flight
operations, Captain?

Well, he told
the flight deck officer

that he needed to interview
an incoming helo pilot.

Had the pilot done
something wrong?

No. The exercise had
gone off without a hitch.

It's gonna be hard to know
why he was out there.

Well, did anyone see
him go over the side?

No, but that's not a surprise--
there was a lot going on.

Accident?

There was
a possibility he got

careless or distracted.

Can you think of anyone

who may have had a grudge
against the major, sir?

Well, the major had
a number of open cases.

I'll make those files
available to you.

But quite honestly,
I find it highly improbable

that someone's going
to push him overboard

in front of a hundred
potential witnesses.

Do you believe Major Holmes

to be the kind of man
who would kill himself, sir?

The major kept mostly
to himself, so I'd have

a hard time answering that.

His wife's been informed?

Yes. And according
to Mrs. Holmes,

the major was in good
health and spirits.

Sometimes the wife is
the last to know, sir.

Hmm. Well, that's
three theories, Colonel.

So where does
that leave us?

Welcome back, Commander.

Welcome
back, sir.
Thanks.

Welcome back, sir.
Good to see you
again, sir.

You're not going
to find her there, sir.

At present, she's halfway
around the world.

Australia?

No, sir.

The Indian Ocean.

I imagine that's
a pretty big surprise.

I understand she
asked to go T.A.D.

I guess she wanted to get away.

Yeah, well, we all feel
that way every now and again,

don't we, Lieutenant,
like we need a little space.

Tiner.

Nice to have you
back, Commander.

Thank you. I need to see
the admiral right away.

Yes, sir.

Commander Rabb is...

Send him in.

Sir.
Commander!

Good to have
you back.

Well, thank you, sir.
It's good to be back.

So, how'd your interview
go with the Safety Board?

Oh, well enough, sir.

I'm primed and ready
to get back to work.

Good. Have a seat.

Thank you.

So, um, what makes you
think you're ready

to go back to full duty?

Well, Admiral, I'm feeling
better every day, and frankly,

I'm going a little crazy
sitting around that apartment.

My, uh, second tour in 'Nam
was... it was rough.

By the time I got stateside,
I was pretty beat up.

First Sunday I was back
I did something

I hadn't done in a long time--
went to church.

Priest got to
the blessings,

and he gave a
special thanks

for my safe return.

Those few words
damn near killed me.

Till then, I had no idea
how bad I hurt.

Make of it what you will.

Meantime,
with the Colonel T.A.D.,

I could use all the help
I can get around here.

TINER (over intercom):
Admiral, your ten hundred
is here, sir.

Oh, send him in.

Sir, if...

Commander.

Admiral.

Good to see you.

Sturgis.

I thought you were in Pearl.

I was. I checked
in here last week.

CHEGWIDDEN:
Commander Turner
has just finished

his tour as Force
Judge Advocate

at ComSubPac.

He's been assigned
to the JAG Headquarters.

Why didn't you tell me?

Ah, when was
the last time we talked?

I sent you a Christmas card.

Three years ago,
to the wrong address.

It was the only address I had--
if you had bothered

to stay in touch...
I wanted to get in
touch with you...

CHEGWIDDEN:
If you gentlemen

are through catching
up with old times...

Sorry, sir.

Sorry, sir.

The, uh,
commanding officer

at Naval Air Station
at Whiting Field

has filed charges
against a Airman Tyree.

The airman was on integrity
watch on the flight line

when he took up
a T-34 Charlie trainer.

Crashed on landing.

How badly was he hurt, sir?

Mm, minor abrasions
on his left leg.

Sounds like he got
a little tired

of chipping paint
and cleaning windscreens.

(Chegwidden chuckles)

Commander Turner, you will
prosecute; Rabb, you'll defend.

Yes, sir.
Aye, sir.

Now, there's a
matter of logistics.

Sir, I'll be more than happy
to show the commander around.

Oh, good, good. Then you can
be the one to tell Roberts

that Commander Turner has
been assigned to his office.

Well, where will
Lieutenant Roberts...

Mr. Roberts will move
back to his old office.

That'll be all.

ROBERTS:
I need to know what
happened, Scout Loveland.

Well, he said bad words.

Right. But I need
to know exactly

what Master Chief
Edwards said.

But on my honor,
I can't repeat them.

Oh, no, I understand,
Victor, but...

it's very important
that we know the specific words.

Have you ever killed anyone?

Excuse me?

Like during
the Gulf War.

No. I was in R.O.T.C.
at college.

But you do carry
a gun now, right?

No. I'm a lawyer.

But have you ever fired a gun?

Well, I'm weapons-
qualified, yes.

Victor, we should
probably talk about you,

your Freedom Scout retreat

and the navy master chief
who cursed at you.

Okay, but I-I can't
say the words.

Hey, what if I, like,
write the words out,

and then, that way,
I won't have to say them?

(chuckles):
Hey, you ought to be a lawyer.

(knock on door)

Lieutenant Roberts,

I'd like you to meet
Commander Sturgis Turner.

Pleasure
to meet you, sir.

Lieutenant.

Heard a lot about you.
Welcome aboard.

Is it true that you were
roommates at the academy?

Company mates.

And as a midshipman
you wrote

the winning essay
on leadership?

RABB:
Yes, and he still has
the sword to prove it.

Oh, and you met
at the brigade boxing finals?

Yeah, where I got
sucker-punched, huh?

Uh, look, uh, Bud,

I need to talk to you
about something.

I'm afraid that...
That we're running late.

Commander's just gonna
show me to my office.

The only one open
is my old office.

You know what, sir,
I should move back there.

It's a small, cramped room
with steam pipes

on the ceiling
and down one wall.

Now you make it sound
tempting, Lieutenant.

(laughs):
Sir?

Well, the commander
was a submariner.

Yeah, but still...
Uh, you look

settled in here, Lieutenant.

Nice meeting you.

It's, uh, it's just to
the left there, Sturgis.

Thanks, Bud.

Did you gain weight?

A little bit. I'm working on it.

All right, here you go.

(chuckles)

Wow!

Yeah, the guy cussed great.

The "guy" was a navy master
chief, Scout Loveland.

He should have known better than
to curse in front of children.

None of us gave a damn.

MAN:
We just brought in a CH-53.

MacKENZIE:
How close is Major Holmes
to the helo?

He was behind
the foul line, ma'am.

Well out of harm's way.

Was he acting strangely?

Can't say. Had my
eyes on the helo.

Was anyone standing
near Major Holmes?

It was during
flight ops, ma'am.

There were people
all over the place.

Who yelled,
"Man overboard"?

Don't know for sure.
That's good.

What happened after you knew
a man had gone overboard?

Well, Captain
launched a SAR helo,

and then we called muster
to count noses.

Once we searched the ship,

it was pretty obvious
he was missing.

And the vest that we recovered
was the one that was issued

to Major Holmes
when he came aboard ship.

Well, how do you
account for the fact

that the vest became
separated from Major Holmes?

It's a six-story
drop out there,

and if the vest wasn't
properly secured

there's a chance
it could have got torn off.

Hard to know just
what happened, ma'am.

But it's a damn shame.

We had a perfect safety record
up until now.

STURGIS:
Two years confinement,
loss of pay,

busted to E-2.

Time served,
formal counseling.

Why not just give him
an air medal?

Look, no one was hurt,

the T-34 suffered
minimal damage,

the accused has
expressed remorse.

He stole
an airplane, Harm.

A trainer.

And if it was some bubblehead
who'd stolen a midget sub

you'd be arguing with me
to cut him a break.

Now, come on.
That is simply not true.

We have Airman Tyree cold
on wrongful appropriation

and negligent damage
to military property.

He's a bright kid, Sturgis.

He scored high marks
on his exams,

excellent evaluations.

Six months confinement,
loss of pay,

but Airman Tyree stays
in the service.

Nope, no deal.

Well, then we're going
to trial, my friend.

Then we go to trial.

GALINDEZ:
What are we looking for,
Colonel?

Anyone who didn't want to
see Major Holmes in court.

Had you ever, ma'am?

We went up against each other
a couple of times.

I didn't really know him
outside of the courtroom.

Good lawyer?

I beat him twice.

He argued with his heart,
not his head.

Well, most of what's here
is routine, ma'am.

Seaman stole a pack
of cigarettes

from the ship's store.

Two petty officers were busted

for hiding a couple of cases
of Scotch whiskey

in a void
on second deck.

And there's a Petty
Officer Darling

who made threats
to Major Holmes.

Why?

Major Holmes had
Petty Officer Darling

scheduled for a special
court-martial for fighting.

Well, I'd like to talk
to the petty officer.

Not a problem, ma'am.

It must be pretty tough
going through life

with everybody
calling you Darling.

I wouldn't know.

I just pulled up a list
of the last 50 Web sites

Major Holmes visited.

Three are garden seed catalogs.

And who the hell is Iris Dement?

Ooh, awesome
country singer, ma'am.

That's her Web site.

Huh. Three different USO's.

Oh, that guy was
a regular Boy Scout.

We need to get a look
at his hard drive, Colonel.

Make arrangements
with the computer
specialist on board.

I have a feeling we're not
going to find anything, though.

I don't think
this guy had a life.

Hm. Everybody has
a life, Colonel,

even Petty Officer Tiner.

MAN:
Taking her up,
Commander?

Thinking about it.

Well, you've come
a long way out
here not to fly.

Well, sometimes
it's better

to stay on the ground.

Sometimes, I guess.

When you start out
flying, you got
no experience

and a whole lot of luck.

You hope to end up

with a whole lot
of experience

before you run
out of that luck.

(chuckles)

You, uh, feel lucky today?

Oh, it's hard to say, Pops.

Why is that?

Well, I, uh...

I recently used up
a lifetime of luck in one night.

Well... you let me know, okay?

Yeah, will do.

TURNER:
When did you discover
the aircraft was missing?

HARRELSON:
The following morning, sir.

It was upside down
in the grass.

And how did you
link Airman Tyree

to the theft and subsequent
destruction of the aircraft?

Objection.

Assumes facts
not in evidence.

Rephrase, Commander Turner.

How did you come to suspect

that Airman Tyree
might be linked:

to the unusual state
in which you found the aircraft?

After his watch ended

Airman Tyree had reported
to sick bay

with various cuts and abrasions.

Is there any doubt
in your mind

Airman Tyree was at the controls
of the aircraft?

He admitted as much
when we questioned him, sir.

Did Airman Tyree
have permission

to fly the aircraft?

No, sir,
definitely not.

He was not trained
as a pilot.

Thank you,
Master Chief.

No further questions.

Master Chief...

the morning
after its discovery

when you examined
the relocated aircraft

what damage did you find?

Well, it landed on grass, sir,

so all it was, was a broken
strut, sir, and a bent prop.

How soon did you have
the aircraft flying again,
Master Chief?

The next day, sir.

So, damage to the T-34
Charlie was minimal,

interruption to training,
negligible.

Your Honor,
counsel is editorializing.

Commander Rabb...

Master Chief, when you
confronted Airman Tyree

with your suspicions,
did he deny it?

No, sir.

In December
of last year

Master Chief, did the accused
receive a letter of reprimand

and was he
reduced in rank

from third class
petty officer

to airman?

HARRELSON:
Yes, sir.

RABB:
For what reason?

For taxing an aircraft

too fast
on the taxiway, sir.

Was he a qualified

taxi pilot at that time?

Yes, sir.

And as such, he was authorized
to taxi aircraft

to the run-up area
to test their engines.

Is that correct?

Yes, sir.

Does he still have

such authorization?

No, sir.

This is the accused's
personnel file.

Master Chief,
do you see a document

giving written authorization
to taxi aircraft

as a taxi pilot?

Yes, sir.

So he had
every reason to believe

he still had permission.

TURNER:
Objection.
The Master Chief

can't testify as to what

Airman Tyree believed
or did not believe.

Sustained.

Nothing further.

Redirect,
Your Honor.

JUDGE:
Mm-hmm, go ahead.

Master Chief Harrelson

if Airman Tyree had his
permission to taxi suspended,

why was that document
still in the file?

It's bad record keeping, sir,

but there's no doubt
to his status.

Busted is busted,
and he knew it.

Thank you, Master Chief.

No further questions,
Your Honor.

You may step down.

JUDGE:
We'll reconvene at 1400.

You may call
your first witness then,

Commander Rabb.

Court is in recess.

(pounds gavel)

WOMAN:
I guess you could say

I threatened Major Holmes.

You, uh, threatened
to "rip his heart out

through his nose."

That's a figure of speech,
ma'am.

What was your grievance
with the major?

He wanted to bring me

to a special court-martial
for fighting.

If I was found guilty

I was going to get
kicked out of the navy.

Did you get into a fight?

Everyone fights, Gunny.

They want us to be tough.

Where is the harm in that?

MacKENZIE:
You were working on deck

the night
Major Holmes

went overboard.

So were a lot of sailors.

Your area of responsibility

is on the starboard side
of the flight deck.

That's the side
off which Major Holmes fell.

Or was pushed.

I wasn't that mad, Gunny.

You have, uh--

to put it politely--
a problem with anger management.

Permission to speak
off the record?

Denied.

SINGER:
Don't you ever
lose your temper?

Every now and then.

And you've never
said a bad word.

Singer, there are 40
different words here.

I don't even know
what several of them mean.

If there's anything
you don't understand

I'd be glad to
help you out.

Okay, look,
three months in the brig.

Reduction to E-8.

Suspend the bust
and confinement

and we'll arrange
for voluntary
community service.

Where's the punishment
in that?

The guy hates
kids, right?

Right.

Then do I have
a deal for you.

MORROW:
Here it is, ma'am.

That's everything I retrieved
off the hard drive.

I got a look
at some of it, ma'am.

I have to say this
for the major--

he e-mailed his wife
nearly every day.

GALINDEZ:
What else?

Well, Gunny,
he, uh, corresponded

with the American Rose Society.

He wanted to name a rose
after his cleaning lady.

Anything of interest,
Senior Chief?

Uh, Major Holmes visited
nearly every U.S.O.

in the Pacific.

He was real serious
about it, ma'am.

He kept e-mailing
this administrator

at U.S.O. headquarters.

What did he want to know?

He would let her know

where the Guadalcanal
was going to be on liberty

and she'd tell him
all the things that he could do

once he got to liberty port.

This woman have a name?

Susan Evans.

He e-mailed her almost as often
as his wife.

Airman Tyree,
I'd like to revisit

the night of the incident.

So would I, sir.

I'd do a lot of things
differently.

Please wait
for the question, Airman.
Oh, y-yes, sir.

I know we practiced it that way.

Ma'am, we-we didn't
"practice" anything.

I-I reviewed
the airman's testimony.

Let's see how it goes.

(Rabb sighs)

Did you move

the aircraft the night
of the incident, Airman Tyree?

Yes, sir,
I did.

You see...

All right,
were you moving it

to the run-up area?

In that direction, yes, sir.

Did you have permission
to taxi the aircraft?

I know how to do it, sir.

Actually, I became
pretty good at it.

In fact, one of the pilots
said I was...

Were you taxiing the aircraft
too fast that night?

Yes, sir.

As Master Chief Harrelson
testified

you had done it on at least
one other occasion.

Yes, sir.

So, is it fair to say,
Airman Tyree

that while taxiing the aircraft

for a moment,
it traveled too quickly

causing the plane to lift off,
and in an attempt...?

Objection.

Three leading questions
busts his quota, Your Honor.

Sustained.

Airman Tyree, why did the
aircraft begin to lift off?

Well, you see, sir,

the motion of the wing
through the air generates lift.

As the plane taxis
down the runway

when the lift
exceeds the weight...

Did you intentionally
fly the aircraft

or did it get away from you?

Well, sir, it pretty much
got away from me

and I lacked the skills
to put her down right.

Thank you.

That will be all, ma'am.

Airman Tyree, until recently,

you had
an exemplary service record.

Thank you, Commander.

Given your high regard
for naval aviation,

you ever thought
about taking flying lessons?

Yes, sir, but they're expensive.

Oh, why not apply
for flight training?

I don't have a college degree,
sir, so, no commission.

Ah. Do you have a dream,
Airman Tyree?

Objection.
Vague.

I'll allow it.

All my life
I wanted to fly, sir.

And now you have,
Airman Tyree.

You have taken a naval aircraft
for an unauthorized flight

and crashed it.

Objection, Your Honor.

Commander Turner, do you have
a question to ask the accused?

I do, Your Honor.

Airman Tyree,
was it your intention

to profit from the borrowing
of this aircraft?

Did you plan
to sell it for scrap?

Cut it up
for spare parts?

Uh, no, sir.

I just wanted to get it up
in the air, just once

to see what
it was like.

TURNER:
Would it be
fair to say

that your flight
was not an accident?

Only the last part was, sir.

No further questions,
Your Honor.

JUDGE:
Commander Rabb,

do you have any
other questions?

None come to mind, ma'am.

Court is in recess

until 1500, at which time
we'll have argument.

GALINDEZ:
Bingo, ma'am.

Tell me.

Susan Evans is
an entertainment coordinator

with the U.S.O.

She came aboard
the Guadalcanal

with the U.S.O. unit
four months ago.

Had lunch and dinner
in the wardroom.

That must be
where they met.

Major Holmes has been
in touch with her

seven times since that visit,

and each time
he's requested information

on the U.S.O. facility
at the next liberty port

the Guadalcanal
was scheduled to visit.

And she met him there?

I did a quick check
with her credit card company.

Miss Evans
stayed in a hotel

in each of the seven ports
the Guadalcanal visited.

Gives a whole new meaning
to the term "follow the fleet."

She's beautiful.

Yes, ma'am.
Her last stay was in Jakarta.

Ship didn't stop there.

No, ma'am,
but it came real close

and that's where they inserted
the marines on maneuvers.

Okay, say Major Holmes
faked his own death

and then jumped ship.

Where would he hide,
and how would

he get off the Guadalcanal

to hook up
with Susan Evans?

Let's go, Gunny.

First, Major Holmes hangs

a torn piece of uniform
sleeve on a stanchion

tosses the float gear
over the side

and yells
"man overboard."

Kept the cranial and goggles on

because no one
can recognize anybody

in those damn things.

While the ship
is being searched...

he hides in here.

Holmes knew about this void

because of the
two cases of scotch

the petty officers
had hidden here.

Gunny, pull the screen.

Yes, ma'am.

All right, go ahead.

Look at that sleeve, ma'am.

This is Major Holmes' shirt.

He definitely
spent the night here.

(sighs)

You're in no shape to play.

I'm fine.

Yeah, then how come
I'm up 17-10?

'Cause you're cheating.

(both laugh)

Coming at you.

You still with that girl,
the, uh...

the widow with the kid?

No. She dumped me years ago.

Oh, that's too
bad; I liked her.

That was Annie, right?

Don't know what it is;
they never stay.

Smart.

What's that?

They're too smart.

Or they... You find they
get smarter as time goes by?

Or the opposite:

We get stupider.

Oh.

Mm.

With my recent luck with women,
that is a definite possibility.

Ready?

So, you got a girl?

Nope. She's got me.
(pager beeping)

The judge is back
with the verdict.

JUDGE:
In the case
of the United States

v. Airman Peter Tyree,
United States Navy

this court finds you guilty

of all charges
and specifications.

Sentencing will commence
at 1100 tomorrow.

Court is in recess.

That's okay, sir.

I know I didn't give
you much to work with.

Considering you never had
a case, Harm,

you did a great job.

It was my fault,
Commander Turner.

Sometimes when
I get excited,

my mouth gets
ahead of my brain.

But you did a good
job tripping me up.

I took no pleasure in it,
Airman.

I know that, sir.

I just wish I could fly
as good as you talk.

The first wave went ashore

at 0600, ma'am.

How many men per boat?

33 marines aboard
the LCACs

Marines stay inside
their vehicles

due to the noise
of the engines.

Where do they muster?

Hanger deck.

Marines do head counts

and personnel
manifests are taken

in the case of a mishap.

Then they board
their vehicles.

You ever had any unauthorized
personnel go ashore?

Once or twice,
someone snuck

on board the LCAC
after the head count.

Did you know Major Holmes
by sight?

Well, you know how it is

during maneuvers,
Gunnery Sergeant.

All those Marines
dressed in camou

and got their faces
painted black.

So, down here, I wouldn't
know him from Adam.

What happens when the marines
hit the Jakarta Beach?

The trucks head
inland, ma'am.

After that, a man could hide
just about anywhere.

Are you lost, Commander?

No, sir.

Who the hell are you?

Commander Rabb, sir.

I was hoping to speak
with Admiral Landry

at a convenient
moment, sir.

Well, now
is not convenient,

but you've already
barged in.

So, whatever you have to say,
you can say it to all of us.

Aye, sir.

Come on in,
Commander

and close the hatch behind you.

Yes, sir.

Master Chief, Lieutenant Roberts
and I have settled on a deal

pending your agreement.

A suspended sentence and 200
hours of community service.

Okay, ma'am.
Where?

The Norfolk
Freedom Scout Camp.

Now, you say
one word there

other than "please"
or "thank you"

and you will spend
six months in the brig.

Is that really the best
you can do, ma'am?

Let's review the evidence
against you, Master Chief.

Shall we start
with the four-letter words

or the compound ones?

JUDGE:
Commander Turner,
Commander Rabb.

I'd like to thank you
for all the time and effort

you've put into this case.

There will be no sentence
handed down in this case.

In fact, my verdict
stands null and void.

Uh... Ma'am?

That's because there
is no more case.

Admiral Landry, who is AIRLANT

has assumed convening
authority in this matter

and directed that all
charges be withdrawn.

You are free
to return to duty.

Thank you, ma'am.

Court is adjourned.

(gavel pounds)

Commander Rabb...

the navy has programs to put
superior enlisted personnel

through college and then OCS.

Yes, Your Honor.

Admiral Landry suggests

Airman Tyree might
make a fine candidate

How the hell did you
get a three-star

to take up
Airman Tyree's cause?

I told him the truth.

The airman's a smart kid
who needs a little education

and a lot of time to grow up.

The navy is always looking for
men with dedication and passion.

Hey, anybody who wants to fly
that badly, well...

(chuckles)

they should
be flying for us.

(car horn honking)

Thank you.

GALINDEZ:
Miss Evans.

Who are you?

Gunnery Sergeant
Victor Galindez, ma'am.

Where's Major Holmes?

End of the line, Miss Evans.

How did you find us?

Well, you used your credit card
one too many times, ma'am.

Come with me, please.

Thank you, sir.

Major Holmes.

Colonel MacKenzie.

Major, why fake your death?

It was the only way, ma'am.

You put your wife
through hell.

Why not just file
for divorce?

This way, she got
my insurance, and
I got a new life.

Where were you
going to live?

In a shack on the beach
in Indonesia?

It worked for Gauguin.

That was Tahiti
and he painted.

I don't expect you
to understand, ma'am.

You didn't have to take
a wrecking ball to your life.

I didn't give up one damn
thing I wanted, Colonel.

With Susan, I'd finally
gotten to a place

where anything--
a sunset,

the curve of her thigh,
the air I breathe--

anything was
enough with her.

Didn't you ever love anyone

so much that you would
have given up the world for?

Did love ever
make you crazy?

Once or twice.

Not again?

Well, maybe one day,
you'll get up the nerve

to stop playing it safe
and work without a net.

Wow!

What is this
exactly, sir?

It's a Stearman.

Two generations
of naval aviators

trained in one of these.

Yours?

My dad's.

He teach you to fly?

Well, he, uh...

he taught me
to want to fly.

Are you ever afraid, sir,
when you're up there?

Hell, yeah.

I'm afraid of screwing up,
afraid of losing control.

Not afraid of dying?

No. You can't be.

How about you, Peter?

Where did you
get the bug?

Well, you're going to laugh,
sir.

Top Gun, Midway

12 O'Clock High.

That was the late show.

See, you're laughing.

Oh, I've seen them all:
30 Seconds Over Tokyo

Flying Leathernecks,
Bridges at Tokori...

Oh, that's my favorite, sir.

I always get a lump in my throat

when Bill Holden
and Mickey Rooney get killed.

And the admiral,
what was his name?

Fredric March.

Yes. Then the admiral says...

"Where do we get such men?"

Go on, sit up front.

Get up there.

(Tyree whooping)

(laughing)

You ready?

Yes, sir.

She's yours.

(laughing)