Real-world examples of people making quips in face of death?

Cafe Society
1

I wasn’t sure what forum to put this in but as its inspired by fictional events I thought this may be the one.

Its a common trope in action movies for the hero to make a light-hearted quip or defiant comment in the face of death or danger, the sort of thing James Bond in particular is famous for. I was wondering if there are any known examples of this in real life?

“I’ll show you how an Italian dies!”, said by Fabrizio Quattrocchi is sort of what I’m asking about, but its not really witty, though certainly impressive.

2

More weight.

3

General John B. Sedgwick, Union commander at the Battle of Spottsylvania:

They couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist…

4

United flight 232 crashed at Sioux City, Iowa while attempting to land after losing all hydraulic power, and following a heroic effort by the cockpit crew to maneuver the aircraft on engine thrust alone. The pilot (Alfred Haynes) made this memorable comment just before the crash:

5

If you get a chance to see the TV movie of this incident*, it’s highly recommended; it’s about as good as TVMs get.
*Originally called, “Crash Landing,” it was re-named, “A Thousand Heroes.”

6

Not a fan of the man but Reagan, following his assassination attempt, saying he hoped the doctors were Republicans.

7

That’s what I thought of. Many people accused him of only reading from a script, but no one wrote lines for him to use after he was shot.

8

I’m a huge fan of the man and he also commented “Guess I forgot to duck.”

9

Reagan also said to Nancy, “Honey, I forgot to duck.”

10

Willem Arondeus, Dutch author executed by the Nazis for bombing a public records office to hinder the apprehension of Jews:

“Let it be known that homosexuals are not cowards”

ETA: Not a quip I suppose.

11

“The fortune of war is changing. This time the U.S.A. forces in and near Bastogne have been encircled by strong German armored units. More German armored units have crossed the river Ourthe near Ortheuville, have taken Marche and reached St. Hubert by passing through Hompre-Sibret-Tillet.

Libramont is in German hands. There is only one possibility to save the encircled U.S.A troops from total annihilation: that is the honorable surrender of the encircled town. In order to think it over a term of two hours will be granted beginning with the presentation of this note. If this proposal should be rejected one German Artillery Corps and six heavy A. A. Battalions are ready to annihilate the U.S.A. troops in and near Bastogne. The order for firing will be given immediately after this two hours’ term.

All the serious civilian losses caused by this artillery fire would not correspond with the wellknown American humanity.”

-General Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz

“Nuts!”
-General Anthony McAuliffe

12

Not a quip, but memorable:

“Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.”

Edith Cavell, a nurse speaking before being executed in WW1.

13

“This wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. Either it goes or I do.” Oscar Wilde

14

Five days before his collapse, William Saroyan had called the Associated Press to make this final statement for publication after his death:

“Everybody has got to die, but I have always believed an exception would be made in my case. Now what?”

15

Regards,
Shodan

16

Captain Eric Moody, flying British Airways Flight 9, as all four of its engines failed due to ingestion of volcanic ash:

They lived.

17

Danton, before going to the guillotine, said “You will show my head to the people, it is worth showing.”

The Duke of Monmouth; “Prithee, let me feel the axe, I fear it is not sharp enough. Do not hack me like you did my Lord Russel.”

18

Nathan Hale’s supposed last words were also memorable, if not a quip, “My only regret is that I have but one life to give for my country.”

19

Murderer James W. Rodgers was put in front of a firing squad in Utah and asked if he had a last request. He replied, “Bring me a bullet-proof vest.”

20

James French before his 1966 exeuction in Oklahoma: “Here’s your headline for tomorrow: French fries.”