:35:02
When they get the nerve to come near.
- I know I'm a bad patient.
:35:06
But a skin disease! Of all the stupid,
useless things to get laid up with!
:35:11
It's driving me nuts. I can't even
think! - We don't have much time.
:35:16
Fletcher's docking the Yorktown now,
and I've got hard decisions to make.
:35:21
Recommend your replacement.
- Ray Spruance.
:35:26
I know he's junior
to a lot of other flag officers,
:35:30
and never served a day on a carrier.
But Chet, he knows carrier tactics.
:35:39
Well, you asked for my recommendation.
:35:44
I can just picture
Washington's reaction
:35:46
if I hand over the Hornet and
the Enterprise to a cruiser skipper.
:35:50
Especially with the static I'm getting
for expecting the Japanese at Midway.
:35:56
You told me once, Chet:
""When you're in command, command.""
:36:02
Admiral Fletcher, Sir.
- Good morning, Sir.
:36:06
Welcome home, Jack. Congratulations
on bringing your cripple in.
:36:11
Well, we got lucky. - We haven't got
much time, so I'll make this fast.
:36:15
Halsey's beached, in the hospital.
Won't be leaving for a while.
:36:21
I'm sending you out again, Jack,
in 72 hours. In full combat readiness.
:36:26
That's impossible! It'll be 3 months
before the Yorktown's in commission.
:36:31
Spruance has replaced Halsey. He takes
Hornet and Enterprise to sea tomorrow.
:36:36
You follow him 48 hours later.
:36:38
Spruance is a cruiser commander!
- He knows carrier tactics.
:36:42
Yeah, but he can't fly.
- Neither can you.
:36:46
And he sure as hell
can't learn it by tomorrow, can he?.
:36:50
No.
:36:53
Congratulations, Ray.
- Well, I'm still in a state of shock.
:36:58
Nice seeing you again, Matt.
How's the hand?. - Coming fine, Sir.