MovieChat Forums > Kansas City Confidential (1952) Discussion > Rolfe's branch of service

Rolfe's branch of service

posted 12 years ago by bluenova19692002
3 replies | jump to latest

While Rolfe's being questioned by the police, the former's war record is briefly mentioned. It's said that he joined the Engineers. Later, we find out that he saved a friend's life on Iwo Jima. Now, when one hears the word "Engineers," one is apt to think of the Army, but that branch was not on Iwo Jima. As far as I know, there are no Marine Engineers; that "MOS" would be carried out by Navy Seabees. So is this a slight mistake on the part of the person reading Rolfe's record, or perhaps one by the screenwriter(s), or are we to equate Engineers with Seabees?

[–] Alanlinel 10 years ago

No - he studied engineering in civilian life, in college.

[–] jonkennedy 9 years ago

Joe was in college studying engineering, but didn't graduate. One of the cops mentions his war record, decorations and calls him a soldier. A Marine is always a Marine, not a "soldier", but that difference is often overlooked by civilians. So, it's not definate which branch of service Joe was in.

There were/are Marine combat engineers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Marine_Corps_battalions#Combat_Engineer_battalions The U.S. Marines' 5th Engineer Battalion Fought with the 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima, for instance.

However, the U.S. Army's 147th Infantry Regiment (or Regimental Combat Team) also saw action on Iwo Jima, being attached to the 3rd Marine Division. See http://lesterstaube.com/147Infantry.html and the book "Always Ready: The story of the United States' 147th Infantry Regiment" by Tom McLeod (1999) ISBN-13: 978-0965598705.

So, it's kind of unsettled if Joe was in the Army or Marines. Both are plausible answers.

[–] bluenova19692002 9 years ago

jonkennedy: Good answer. It could have been either. (And you're right; "soldier" is often used for other branches, too, although technically it should be used for those who serve/have served in the Army.)