[after finding the dead bodies of Shimizu and another Japanese soldier who tried to surrender] (sadly)
Let this be a lesson to anyone else who wants to surrender.
Saigo
Kazunari Ninomiya · 8 quotes
General
Ken Kensei · 6 quotes
Lieutenant Ito
Shido Nakamura · 6 quotes
Lieutenant Colonel
Hiro Abe · 5 quotes
Lieutenant Okubo
Eijiro Ozaki · 4 quotes
Admiral Ohsugi
Nobumasa Sakagami · 3 quotes
Captain Tanida
Takumi Bando · 3 quotes
Colonel Adachi
Toshi Toda · 2 quotes
Lieutenant Fujita
Hiroshi Watanabe · 2 quotes
Letters from Iwo Jima quotes
Page 2 of 4[Before the soldiers commit suicide by holding hand grenades against their chests]
Men, we are honorable soldiers of the Emperor. Don't ever forget that. The only way left for us is to die with honor. This is our fate, to find our place at Yasukuni Shrine. I'll see you there. Banzai! Banzai! Banzai! [The men repeat 'banzai' each time he says it] Soldiers, farewell! [Shoots himself]
[Convincing Shimizu not to kill himself]
We can die here, or we can continue fighting. Which would better serve the emperor?
[Letter to his wife]
We soldiers dig. We dig all day. This is the hole that we will fight and die in. Am I digging my own grave?
[reading letter]
From headquarters. We regret that we are unable to send reinforcements to Iwo at this time. We earnestly hope you will fight honorably and die for your country.
[to his men, right before a suicide charge]
A day will come when they will weep and pray for your souls. [unsheathes his katana] I will always be in front of you.
[To Saigo when he fails to hit the target during target practice]
My six year old son can shoot better! [Saigo shoots again and misses] Do you call yourself an Imperial soldier?
[Waiting in vain for the American tanks to run over him]
Where are you, American tanks? Come and get me!
[When the Allied forces fire on him]
Why are you always messing with me. It's got to be a joke! [An Allied shell lands right next to him, knocking him over. He sees the shell is a dud] Thank you, God! I take back what I said!
A good officer uses his head, not his whip.