Pvt. Donald Jarvess Quotes in Battleground (1949)

Pvt. Donald Jarvess: Only one thing gets me. When you work on a newspaper, I'd get those wire releases and know I was the first person in town who had the news, all the news. I guarantee you my wife knows what's going on in Bastogne. All I know is what's going on in the 2nd squad of the 3rd platoon of I company.

[Rodriguez is wounded and left under an American artillery barrage]

Pvt. Donald Jarvess: That's great. Artillery, can't miss. They've got Rodriguez to use as an aiming stake.

Sgt. Kinnie: Tell Walowicz to send out for Rodriguez as soon as the barrage lifts.

Holley: With what, a sponge?

Pvt. Jim Layton: I thought Holley was running away. That's why I ran after him.

Pvt. Donald Jarvess: How do you know what Holley was thinking? How do you know if he was thinking at all? Things just happen, then afterwards you try to figure out why you acted the way you did.

Pvt. Jim Layton: I know why I ran. I was scared to death.

Pvt. Donald Jarvess: You just joined the biggest club in the army. Everybody belongs.

Lt. Teiss: You sure they were enemy tanks?

Pvt. Donald Jarvess: We saw them, Lieutenant.

Lt. Teiss: You think we got enough anti-tank grenades to do any good?

Sgt. Kinnie: We ain't got any. Mind if I make a suggestion, Lieutenant?

Lt. Teiss: What?

Sgt. Kinnie: Well, sir, our usual defense against tanks is to call for artillery, and then to run like a jackrabbit.

Lt. Teiss: We got orders to hold these positions.

Sgt. Kinnie: Well, sir, let's call for artillery and keep our heads down, then.

Lt. Teiss: We could send out some bazooka men... if we had any bazookas.

Pvt. Donald Jarvess: Careful study of the most scientific instruments and maps leads me to believe that German bombers are over Bastonge, fog or no fog.

Holley: [sarcastically] Kinda rough on rear echelon tonight.

'Kipp' Kippton: [sarcastically] Yeah, I've been thinking, the mess sergeant, the supply sergeant, the pill roller who gives us those shots with the square needle. I'm bleedin' for them.

[clicks his teeth]