Tour of Duty (1987–1990)

Terence Knox: Sgt. Clayton 'Zeke' Anderson, Sgt.1st Class Clayton 'Zeke' Anderson

Photos 

Quotes 

• Sgt. Zeke Anderson : What do you think is the difference between bravery and stupidity?

  Lt. Myron Goldman : Same thing. Just depends on the timing.

• Dr. Jennifer Seymour : You just can't go bursting into a major's office!

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : What's he going to do? Send me to Vietnam? Make me a grunt?

• Sgt. Zeke Anderson : Six confirmed kills.

  Lt. Myron Goldman : Really? Outstanding! NVA or VC?

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : Monkeys. They didn't say which side they were on.

• [The platoon is under heavy fire] 

  Lt. Myron Goldman : I think we should attack.

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : I think we should wait it out, sir.

  Lt. Myron Goldman : Are you sure?

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : Well, we could call Gen. Wesmoreland right now, and discuss it!

• Sgt. Zeke Anderson : I think she's gonna have a baby. Anybody know what we oughta do?

  Sergeant Marvin Johnson : No idea.

  Pvt. Scott Baker : Well, my mother had a baby.

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : Well, I hope so, Baker!

• Sgt. Zeke Anderson : What's wrong, Taylor?

  Pvt. Marcus Taylor : It's my leg, sarge.

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : Your leg? You're sitting in a hole! How the hell'd you get shot in the leg?

  Pvt. Marcus Taylor : That's the thing, I've been sitting here too long. I got the worst charlie horse I ever had.

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : You know what, Taylor? Every time I think I heard it all, all I gotta do is talk to you and realize that I ain't heard a damn thing yet.

• Private Alberto Ruiz : If you ask me, sir, that's a stupid way to do it.

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : The army ain't asking, soldier.

• Sgt. Zeke Anderson : [during combat, to VC]  I'm the nightmare your mama told you about!

• Sgt. Zeke Anderson : Over here, you're either scared or crazy... Or dead.

• Sgt. Zeke Anderson : Congratulations! You just discovered the way to deal with the army.

  Dr. Jennifer Seymour : Which is?

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : Yell at 'em.

• Sgt. Zeke Anderson : If you're a conscientious objector, why did you come here instead of prison?

  Pvt. Francis 'Doc Hoc' Hockenbury : Didn't want to be some lifer's old lady.

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : You could've gone to Canada.

  Pvt. Francis 'Doc Hoc' Hockenbury : Allergic to moose.

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : You didn't answer my question, soldier. Why did you come to Vietnam instead of prison or Canada?

  Pvt. Francis 'Doc Hoc' Hockenbury : Well, because prison or Canada wouldn't have been positive experiences.

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : Let me tell you something, out in the field, Charlie can be a very negative experience.

• [The platoon is upset because of dangerous patrols ordered by Goldman] 

  Lt. Myron Goldman : So, what do you think?

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : About what?

  Lt. Myron Goldman : I... I was just thinking about my father.

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : You're talking about the first General Goldman?

  Lt. Myron Goldman : He was Colonel Goldman back then. He was one tough son of a bitch. It's just that no matter what he did, the men liked him.

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : Listen to me, it's real easy to get these guys to like you. They'll like you, up until the time the base is overrun. Then there's gonna be only one person to blame...

  [pokes Goldman's shoulder] 

• Major Rigby : Yes, this village is going to be a hallmark of what Americans and Vietnamese can accomplish when they work together. It might ever rub out some of that cynicism of yours, Sergeant.

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : I'm not cynical, sir. I'm just responsible for a lot of men who depend on me being realistic.

• Sgt. Zeke Anderson : You got a big mouth, you know that?

  Pvt. Francis 'Doc Hoc' Hockenbury : I was born with it.

  Sgt. Zeke Anderson : You could die with it.

• Sgt. Zeke Anderson : Well, well, well. Purcell, you look as clean as a Mississippi sheriff on election day.