I think Sergeant Major Plumley and Sam Eliot became close too.
“Plumley received the Doughboy Award in 1999. His awards and decorations included Silver Star (one Oak Leaf Cluster); Legion of Merit; Bronze Star (one Oak Leaf Cluster and Valor Device); Purple Heart (three Oak Leaf Clusters); Air Medal (one silver and three bronze Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Presidential Unit Citation (two Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Commendation Medal; American Defense Service Medal;
American Campaign Medal;
Word War II Victory Medal;
Korean Service Medal (with Arrowhead device and three campaign stars);
Vietnam Service Medal (with one silver and three bronze campaign stars);
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation; Republic of Korea War Service Medal; United Nations Service Medal for Korea; Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge (three awards); Master Combat Parachutist Badge (with gold star, indicating 5 combat jumps); Vietnam Army Basic Parachutist Badge; Order of St. Maurice; and Garry Owen Distinctive Unit Insignia.”
That was Sam Eliott’s only movie where he didn’t have his trademark mustache.
I have watched the movie about three times. Loved Sam Elliot in it.