“Our target, Island X, is an ugly, smelly, dirty little scab of rock...” – Colonel Chandler Johnson, Flags of Our Fathers ... Movie Quotes Database

Colonel Chandler Johnson

Our target, Island X, is an ugly, smelly, dirty little scab of rock called Iwo Jima. It means "Sulfur Island," which accounts for the smell. Looks sort of like a burnt pork chop if you ask me. After twenty straight days of bombing, you won't find a blade of grass or a twig on it. It wasn't that pretty to start with.

More from Flags of Our Fathers

Lundsford You actually chose the Marines because they had the best uniforms? Rene Gagnon No sense being a hero if you don't look like one. John "Doc" Bradley Who are these "Gold Star Mothers?" Bud Gerber That's what we're calling the mothers of the dead flag-raisers. You present each mother with a flag, they say a few words, people will shit money. It'll be so moving. Bud Gerber People on the street corners, they looked at this picture and they took hope. Don't ask me why, I think it's a crappy picture, myself. You can't even see your faces! But it said we can win this war, are winning this war, we just need you to dig a little deeper. They want to give us that money. No, they want to give it to you.