Father Duffy Quotes in The Fighting 69th (1940)

Father Duffy: When did an Irishman need a prayer in a fight?

Father Duffy: [praying] Almighty God, in Thine infinite mercy grant me, thy servant, the wisdom to guide my young flock through the trials of war. Oh, Father, they're so young. So young and they know so little of life and nothing at all of that terrible and bloody altar towards which they move, carrying so eagerly the bright sacrifice of their youth. Their need will be great, O Lord, and I am weak. Therefore, I beseech thee through Thy Son, Christ, our Lord, grant me the strength to keep them steadfast in the faith, in decency and courage to the glory of God, their country, and their regiment in the bad times to come. And if in battle you see fit to gather them to your protecting arms, thy will be done, but let them die like men, valiant and unafraid.

Father Duffy: You know Jerry, you're getting yourself so "well-liked" in this army, that they'd rather machine gun *you* than the *Germans*! It was *bad enough* at Camp Mills, but instead in *improving* you've been getting *worse*!

Jerry Plunkett: Aw, that's what *you* think!

Father Duffy: No, that's what *everybody* thinks!

Father Duffy: I don't believe I've met *you* yet...

Jerry Plunkett: [thinks he is talking to a fellow recruit] Oh, I've been around. Plunkett's my name; Jerry Plunkett. "Smilin' Jerry" they call me, on account of my disposition!

[the recruits start fighting with each other]

Jerry Plunkett: Aw, the *saps*!

Father Duffy: [worried] Help me break it up, Jerry!

Jerry Plunkett: [unaware that he is talking to an officer] Not *me* pal; You don't get medals for *that* kinda fightin'!