- Tommy Conlin: [narrating] Three Week wonders; that's what we called the new guys. That's all the training they got and it wasn't enough. They usually didn't last very long. No matter how much training you got or how strong you are, when you strap up and step on a battlefield for the first time, it changes you forever. Tarawa was just another strip of sand out in the middle of nowhere, but for many of us it would be the last thing we ever saw.
- Frank Minoso: [Frank uses the butt of his rifle to hit the dummy, accidentally breaking it] Sergeant! Uh... I'm... sorry...
- Drill Instructor: You will not apologize! You will continue to destroy the enemy anyway you can!
- Sailor: The Nevada's making a run. Help her out boys!
- Frank Minoso: [Eavesdropping on the Japanese] Rook, what are they saying?
- Rookie Soldier: He said there's a truck coming. They're gonna move that gun.
- Willy Gaines: I guess that answer's why he came along.
- Jimmy Sullivan: So what do you think, Frank?
- Frank Minoso: Let's take it out. Tommy, you and Jimmy go left and take position behind those crates. I'll go right with the rook. Willy, you stay here - once we're in position, you pop one of them and we'll cover the flanks. Nobody moves until Willy shoots - go!
- Frank Minoso: [in a raft, rowing towards the submarine Nautilus, while being strafed by Japanese zeroes] Head's up boys! We got company!
- Jimmy Sullivan: I knew it man! We're sitting ducks out here!
- Frank Minoso: Shut up and get some fire on those zekes! That popgun ain't gonna cut it! Here, Tommy, take my B.A.R, and see if you can knock em' down!
- Tommy Conlin: [Minoso shows Conlin a picture of his girlfriend] It's been a long time since I've seen a face like that. She's real pretty, man.
- Frank Minoso: Yeah, we're supposed to get married when I get back. I know I talk a big game about the ladies, Tom, uhh...
- Willy Gaines: [On Frank's promotion] Gunnery Sergeant Minoso, huh?
- Tommy Conlin: Cut it out, Willy.
- Jimmy Sullivan: Yeah, get off it already.
- Frank Minoso: That's right, Willy. You got a problem with that?
- Willy Gaines: Not a problem, Gunny. Just wondering why you? I mean everyone knows that Tommy's the hero of the group.
- Jimmy Sullivan: Quit stirrin' the pot, Willy...
- Willy Gaines: Or what about Jimmy? I mean where would we be without the good doctor savin' our hides all the time. Or hey what about me? Remember that one guy in the tree I potted?
- [Soldier shouts in the distance, tanks start their engines]
- Frank Minoso: Stripes come from up high, you redneck.
- Willy Gaines: Oh, I know where they come from. I'm just making sure you're not pullin' our legs is all. You know... Like when you talk about how much the ladies love ya.
- Frank Minoso: [Tanks disembark] Oh, you're a cocky son of a bitch! I've put up with your crap since boot camp!
- Willy Gaines: What's that? I can't hear ya Gunny. It's kinda loud in here.
- Frank Minoso: You're gonna get it, Willy.
- Willy Gaines: I guess we'll talk later then. Okay, buddy!