:38:01
...sealed in our ships while the rest
of the division fought the battle.
:38:05
When the smoke cleared and what was
left of the division limped off...
:38:08
...they again told Huxley that he must
find the elusive Japanese garrison...
:38:12
...who, this time, were hidden
in 45 miles of island atolls.
:38:16
We cornered them after
a four-day chase...
:38:18
...and in a brief skirmish,
we closed the chapter on Tarawa.
:38:21
Our casualties were light,
but we left behind...
:38:25
...the kid who might have
written the great American war novel...
:38:28
...Corporal Marion Hotchkiss,
Sister Mary.
:38:41
Then, January 1944, we made
a 2500-mile voyage to rejoin the division.
:38:46
Huxley's Harlots, the orphans
of the Marine Corps.
:38:49
Always a bridesmaid,
but never a bride.
:38:51
On one of the remote islands of Hawaii
we were dumped on a desolate camp...
:38:56
...and for all practical purposes,
disappeared from the face of the earth.
:39:03
- Good morning, sir.
- Jim.
:39:06
Sir, we just received word
from Headquarters.
:39:09
The 1 st and 3rd Battalions move out
with the rest of the division.
:39:12
We're to stand by, break camp,
and follow in five days...
:39:16
...which means we're in reserve again.
:39:18
We take this battalion in reserve again
over my dead body.
:39:21
- Jim, get my jeep for me, please.
- Yes, sir.
:39:30
You didn't waste any time
in getting over here.
:39:35
You requested permission.
What's on your mind?
:39:37
General, the rest of the division
is getting ready to move out.
:39:41
My outfit is ordered to stand by
in Hawaii.
:39:45
- We won't leave them there.
- No, sir.
:39:48
But if you have us scheduled
as reserves again in this campaign...
:39:52
Just a minute, Huxley.
:39:53
You don't like your assignment?
:39:57
No, sir, I don't.