The Best Lance Cpl. Harold W. Dawson Quotes

Downey: [after the verdict was read] I don't understand... Colonel Jessup said he ordered the Code Red.
Galloway: I know but...
Downey: [nervously] Colonel Jessup said he ordered the Code Red! What did we do wrong?
Galloway: It's not that simple...
Downey: [anxiously] What did we do wrong? We did nothing wrong!
Dawson: Yeah we did. We were supposed to fight for people who couldn't fight for themselves. We were supposed to fight for Willy.

Dawson: [talking privately in an interrogation room] Do you think we were right?
Kaffee: It doesn't matter...
Dawson: [pounds his fist on the table] DO YOU THINK WE WERE RIGHT?
Kaffee: I think you'd lose.
Dawson: You're such a coward, I can't believe they let you wear a uniform.

Dawson: [to Danny in the interrogation room with Joanne and Downey present] We joined the Marines because we wanted to live our lives by a certain code, and we found it in the Corps. Now you're asking us to sign a piece of paper that says we have no honor. You're asking us to say we're not Marines. If a court decides that what we did was wrong, then I'll accept whatever punishment they give. But I believe I was right sir, I believe I did my job, and I will not dishonor myself, my unit, or the Corps so I can go home in six months... Sir.

Kaffee: [Stops Dawson as he is leaving the courtroom] Harold.
Dawson: Sir?
Kaffee: You don't need to wear a patch on your arm to have honor.
Dawson: Ten-hut!
[salutes]
Dawson: There's an officer on deck.