- Comdr. Kent Dowling: [Greeting visiting author James Michener] You know, until I read your book "Tales of the South Pacific", I didn't know what a wonderful time I had in World War Two.
- James A. Michener: Neither did I until Rodgers and Hammerstein set it to music.
- Comdr. Kent Dowling: Why didn't you stop while you were ahead? Even Shakespeare couldn't make this dirty little war romantic.
- Lt. Comdr. Ted Dodson: [Talking to Lt. Cmdr. Grayson] There are no heroes this time. And no Ernie Pyles to write about 'em. This isn't a war. Haven't you heard? It's a 'police action'. And nobody back home wants to read about it.
- Comdr. Kent Dowling: [Narrating, talking about the assembled carrier pilots] They know there are no answers as to why they're here. They've been told that it's a "police action", which makes them cops. And others have told them that they're containing a blaze, which makes them firemen. All they know is they're buying time... now and then paying with a life.
- Lt. Comdr. Ted Dodson: Taking chances, Howie, isn't heroic. It's foolish. Play it safe. Look out for number one. Nobody else will.
- Lt. Howard Thayer: [sarcastically] Is that how you won your Navy Cross?
- Lt. Comdr. Ted Dodson: That's why I'm still around to wear it.
- Ensign Kenneth Schechter: Ever think about being married?
- Lt. Howard Thayer: Not lately. They say it's better when you don't think about women, so I'm trying not to think.