Hell Is for Heroes (1962)

Sgt. Jim Larkin: Hey, Corby, what's the matter with you? Can't you forget about that loot? You're in a church.
Pvt. Dave Corby: This ain't a church no more, Sergeant. And besides, even if it was, so what?
Sgt. Jim Larkin: Well it used to be, J.J. You oughtta have respect for things that used to be.
Pvt. Dave Corby: What are you buckin' for chaplain or something? I got respect, Sergeant. Plenty. But its not for somebody I can't see.

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Platoon Sgt. Bill Pike: [after the failed attempt on the pillbox] How close did you get?
Pvt. John Reese: Two hundred yards.
Platoon Sgt. Bill Pike: How'd it happen?
Pvt. John Reese: Mine field.
Platoon Sgt. Bill Pike: Henshaw?
Pvt. John Reese: Yeah. He tripped a mine. He was carrying a torch. It lit up the whole countryside. Put us right on the block.
Platoon Sgt. Bill Pike: Were you right?
Pvt. John Reese: How the hell do I know?

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Pfc. James E. Driscoll: But Sergeant, you don't understand. I was sent to clerk-typist school. That's all I've ever done in the army was type!
Sgt. Jim Larkin: Man, we're gonna give you on the job training.
Pvt. Dave Corby: What's up, Sergeant?
Sgt. Jim Larkin: Take this man over to that foxhole next to Reese and teach him how to shoot.
Pvt. Dave Corby: [Larkin hands him Driscoll's brand new rifle] With this here? It might get dirty.

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Screenwriter Robert Pirosh was originally set to direct the film but after repeated clashes with star Steve McQueen he was replaced with Don Siegel. Pirosh's script featured many blackly comedic scenes but most of them were not filmed, as Siegel wanted to make the film more dramatic. Disappointed, Bob Newhart tried to get Siegel to kill his character early, but Siegel refused.
According to Ben Mankiewicz of Turner Classic Movies, a columnist visiting the set commented on Steve McQueen's irascible temperament by noting that McQueen seemed to be his own worst enemy. Bobby Darin reportedly overheard the comment and quickly replied, "Not while I'm around." (The full Mankiewicz quote: "Steve McQueens character in 'Hell is for Heroes' seemed to have a little trouble getting along with people. By most accounts, playing that kind of guy wasn't a stretch for McQueen. Time and time again during production, McQueen got in the face of studio executives or Don Siegel, the director, or even cast members. At one point, a columnist was visiting the set, and he mentioned to another observer that Steve McQueen seemed to be his own worst enemy. Co-star Bobby Darin overheard the comment and quickly replied, 'Not while I'm around.'")
The weapon Steve McQueen is using is an M3, .45 ACP Cal., sub-machine gun know as the "Grease Gun". It came into use late in the war replacing Thompson sub-machine guns. It was not a general issue weapon to infantryman, normally it was the crew weapon on a tank. Many "found" their way to the front line troops. This earlier model weapon had a charging lever on the side that you see McQueen using occasionally to clear the weapon as it jams. Later models (M3A1) were charged by simply pulling back on the bolt by inserting your finger into a recess in the bolt. The M3A1 wire stock included a tab to help load magazines, the ends threaded to accept a cleaning brush to clean the barrel and was used as a wrench to unscrew the barrel for disassembly. The weapon, only manufactured during WWII by General Motors Headlight division, at a cost about $20 vs. the Thompsons at a fee of $100 each.
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