Flight of the Intruder

Admiral: What we're going to tell you Commander, may come as a surprise, but it must be held in the utmost secrecy, and its importance will become obvious. I think you'll understand.

Court-Martial Captain: All charges against your boys have been dropped.

Cdr. Camparelli: Sir?

Court-Martial Captain: They're gone, dropped, never happened.

Cdr. Camparelli: What do you want me to do, Captain?

Court-Martial Captain: Cover it up, sweep it under the rug. Take your men back to your carrier first thing in the morning, keep their mouths shut. Beyond that, you can do what you want to with them, but this affair's over.

Cdr. Camparelli: May I ask the captain, why?

Admiral: Because the President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon is quite irritated at the opposition for leaving the peace table. He has just ordered Operation Linebacker II; the unrestricted bombing of all military targets in North Vietnam.

Court-Martial Captain: We'd look like real idiots if we court-martialed an A-6 crew for doing what the President of the United States just told us to do. If even a rumor got back to the press, you can understand the ramifications.

Cdr. Camparelli: Yes. Yes, sir.