The Pacific (TV Mini Series)

Iwo Jima (2010)

Jon Seda: Sgt. John Basilone

Photos 

Quotes 

• [as Basilone rouses the platoon for an early-morning training exercise] 

  PFC 'Steve' Evanson : How come we're the only ones runnin' like this every damn morning?

  PFC Charles Tatum : Make us the best.

  PFC 'Steve' Evanson : Shut up. I'm so sick of this shit. I just want to get out there and slap a Jap.

  [Basilone overhears this and walks down the line to Evanson] 

  Sgt. John Basilone : What did you say?

  PFC 'Steve' Evanson : I said I wanna slap a Jap, Gunny.

  [the platoon chuckles; Basilone pauses for a bit] 

  Sgt. John Basilone : "Slap a Jap." Well, how 'bout it, boys? I bet you all wanna do more than "slap a Jap."

  Marines : Yes, Gunny!

  Sgt. John Basilone : "Slap a Jap"... that's what the enemy is to you, huh? A fucking buck-toothed cartoon dreamed up by some asshole on Madison Avenue to sell soap!

  [he roams up and down the line of Marines] 

  Sgt. John Basilone : Well, let me tell you somethin': the Jap I know, the Japanese soldier, he has been at war since you were in fucking DIAPERS! He's a combat veteran, an expert with his weapon. He can live off of maggoty rice and muddy water for weeks and endure misery you couldn't dream up in your worst nightmare! The Japanese soldier doesn't care if he gets hurt or killed, as long as he kills you.

  [he returns to Evanson] 

  Sgt. John Basilone : Now, you can call 'em whatever you want, but never, ever fail to respect their desire to put you and your buddies into an early grave. IS THAT CLEAR?

  Marines : YES, GUNNY!

  Sgt. John Basilone : Why aren't you in your full packs? Gear up!

• Sgt. John Basilone : You wanna live? Get off the beach!