Homer lights a match, then lights Fred’s cigarette. “Thanks,” says Fred.

Next, Homer lights Al’s cigarette. “Thank you,” says Al.

“Anybody superstitious?” asks Homer, referring to the “Three on a Match” trope of bad luck.

“No, no!” says Al.

“No, go ahead!” says Fred.

“Well, I am!” says Homer snuffing out the match. The men laugh. Homer lights another match instead to light his cigarette. He takes a puff. “Boy,” says Homer, “you oughta see me open a bottle of beer!” Everyone laughs.

“Well, then you’ve got nothing to worry about,” says Al.

“Guess you saw a lot of action,” says Fred.

“No, I didn’t see much of the war,” says Homer. “I mean the way you fellas did.” Al and Fred look at him.

“You trying to kid The Army?” asks Al.

“No, I was stationed in the repair shop, below deck,” says Homer. “Oh, I was in plenty of battles, but never saw a Jap, or heard a shell coming at me. When we were sunk, all I know is there was a lot of fire, explosions, and I was ordered topsides – – and overboard. And I was burned. When I came to, I was on a cruiser. My hands were off.”

In This Episode:

• Dana Andrews as Fred Derry
• Fredric March as Al Stephenson
• Harold Russell as Homer Parrish

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