Wayne’s performance as Sgt. John M. Stryker in Sands of Iwo Jima stuck with people in a way that made him proud. The story follows his character, whose men under his command hate him, but they’ll need all of the skills that they learned from him. They push through the beaches amid the war, relying on his training to keep them alive.
“I know the Marines, and all the American armed forces were quite proud of my portrayal of Stryker, the Marine sergeant in Iwo,” Wayne said. “At an American Legion convention in Florida, General Douglas MacArthur told me, ‘You represent the American serviceman better than the American serviceman himself.'”
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He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose
There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to meet.
One of my favorite JW movies, watched it many times growing up in the 60's.
Always liked this scene from the DI
Cpt. Anderson: Well, Owens?
Pvt. Owens: I didn't mean to bang the door, sir!
Cpt. Anderson: Then why did you do it? You always do things you didn't mean to do, Owens?
Pvt. Owens: Sergeant Moore, sir. He said on the double, and-
Cpt. Anderson: But he didn't tell you to bang my door, did he?
Pvt. Owens: No, sir.
Cpt. Anderson: Did you bang my door just to irritate me?
Pvt. Owens: No, sir.
Cpt. Anderson: Now, you were supposed to knock, weren't you?
Pvt. Owens: Yes, sir.
Cpt. Anderson: Then get outside and knock!
Pvt. Owens: Aye-aye, sir!
[Owens goes outside and shuts the door. He knocks three times on the door frame.]
Cpt. Anderson: I can't hear you! [Owens hits the frame three times, harder.] I still can't hear you! [Owens hits the door three times, very loudly.] Get in here!
Pvt. Owens: Sir, Private Owens reporting as ordered, sir!
Cpt. Anderson: You know what this is, Private Owens?
Pvt. Owens: No, sir.
Cpt. Anderson: This is a general discharge. Your discharge. It's all filled out. The only thing stopping it from going through is my signature. Do I sign it?
Pvt. Owens: Sir, I-
Cpt. Anderson: If I sign this, Owens, it'll be the end of this island for you. No more training, no more Sergeant Moore. You'll be a playboy again. You want that very badly, don't you? Yes, all I have to do is sign it. You're such a baby, you'll probably break down and cry if I don't sign it. Do I sign it, yes or no?
Pvt. Owens: Yes, sir.
Cpt. Anderson: You're wrong, Owens! I don't sign it. [Tears up the discharge] Not for you, never for you. It's your country, Owens. That's what country it is.
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose
There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to meet.
PM
Originally Posted by Sarge1998
