Summary

Chapter 1 – In Barcelona, near the Cordova Hotel, fourteen Marine Corps fighter pilots from the Forrestal, are holding a going-away party for Colonel Bull Meechem. The party is loud and wild, and commanding officer Ty Mullinax has already passed out. Bull jokes with the maître d’ that Mullinax is dead. He says that Mullinax should be left on the table where he has passed out for the next six months. Major Sammy Funderburk points out some attractive and willing girls to Bull, but Bull refuses, saying he is saving himself for his wife. Bull then offers himself a toast, full of praise and bravado.

Captain Ronald Bookout tells Bull that they should keep the noise down, or they are liable to cause trouble, especially with the Naval officers in the room next door. Bull contends it is the job of the Marines to...