Elias Koteas credited as playing...
Capt. Staros
- Capt. James 'Bugger' Staros: I've lived with these men, sir, for two and a half years and I will not order them all to their deaths.
- Capt. James 'Bugger' Staros: You are my sons, my dear sons. You live inside me now. I'll carry you wherever I go.
- Capt. James 'Bugger' Staros: The tough part is, uh... Not knowing if you're doing any good. That's the hard part.
- Lt. Col. Gordon Tall: Guadalcanal may be the turning point in the war. It'II cost lives, Staros. Is that what's troubling you?
- Capt. James 'Bugger' Staros: No, sir.
- Lt. Col. Gordon Tall: I explained to you the importance of this objective. How many men do you think it's worth? How many lives?
- Capt. James 'Bugger' Staros: I can't say, sir.
- Lt. Col. Gordon Tall: Are you prepared to sacrifice the Iives of any of your men in this campaign? How many? One? Two? Twenty? Lives wiII be Iost in your company, Captain. And if you don't have the stomach for it, now is the time to let me know.
- Capt. James 'Bugger' Staros: No, sir. You're right - about everything you said.
- Lt. Col. Gordon Tall: Staros, I'm relieving you of your command. Lieutenant Band wiII take over for you. I already told him. It's a hard thing to do. Difficult decision to make. I don't think you're tough enough here. You're too soft. You're just too softhearted. You're not tough-fibered enough. Anyways, it's my decision to make. I've already made it.
- Capt. James 'Bugger' Staros: I don't Iike to see my men get kiIIed, sir. Have you ever had anyone die in your arms, sir? Have you?