Bubba, Forrest‘s best friend, tragically dies in Forrest‘s arms in Vietnam after being shot. With his last breath, Bubba utters the heartbreaking final words "I wanna go home." This pivotal quote stuck with audiences and had tremendous significance both in that moment and in how it shaped Forrest‘s life going forward.
The Vietnam War: A Harrowing Backdrop
Bubba and Forrest served together in the Vietnam War, one of America‘s longest and most brutal military engagements. The staggering statistics around the war underscore just how devastating it was:
- Over 58,000 US soldiers were killed in action
- Over 150,000 were wounded
- 11 million tons of bombs were dropped from 1965-1973
- 365,000 Vietnamese civilians estimated killed
Americans at home were reeling from the graphic images of combat flooding TV screens. Historian Gerald Sorin notes "Vietnam was a war in which there was no consensus at home or abroad about why we were there and what needed to be done." The senselessness and brutality left an indelible mark on generations of soldiers.
Forrest and Bubba‘s Unwavering Bond
Against this nightmarish backdrop, Forrest and Bubba‘s friendship provided comfort. As leading Vietnam War expert Frederic Karnys recounts, "Soldiers depended on the bonds forged in battle for their sanity and survival." Though strikingly different, Bubba and Forrest formed an unbreakable bond rooted in loyalty.
Bubba dreamed of owning a shrimp fishing fleet after his service. Forrest, so accustomed to being ridiculed for his low IQ, felt valued for the first time by Bubba‘s kindness. Their brotherly love weathered countless horrors in Vietnam, making Bubba‘s death all the more devastating.
Bubba‘s Final Moments
During an ambush, Bubba sustains fatal gunshot wounds to the stomach and legs. Forrest drags him to safety, only to watch helplessly as his friend bleeds out. He begs Bubba not to die and insists the medics can save him.
As Bubba takes his last breaths, he utters the immortal words "I wanna go home." Bubba knows he won‘t survive and longs for the comfort of home one final time. Forrest is overcome with grief and pain at losing his best friend in such a senseless manner.
Why "I Wanna Go Home" Sticks With Audiences
Bubba‘s tragic death scene wrenches the hearts of viewers for many reasons:
- It underscores Bubba‘s innocence and youth – he was too young and green to lose his life in this nightmare war.
- The singular wish to just go home signals Bubba‘s realization that death is upon him.
- The line poignantly symbolizes the enduring connection between the friends – part of Bubba will always be with Forrest.
Most profoundly, it captures the utter futility and painful cost of war, cutting short Bubba‘s dream in the most heartbreaking manner possible.
Tom Hanks‘ Emotional Tour de Force
Tom Hanks‘ rendition of Forrest in Bubba‘s death scene left no dry eyes in theaters. According to entertainment writer Nathan Rabin, "Hanks makes audiences feel every twisting stab of pain, confusion and disbelief."
As Forrest helplessly watches his friend die, Hanks balances intense grief with a childlike lostness that compounds the tragedy. Movie critic Jessica Kiang wrote "Hanks layers in subtle gestures that speak volumes." From pleading with Bubba to live to cradling his dead body, Forrest‘s devastating trauma suffuses every frame. Hanks‘ emotional tour de force performance amplified the scene‘s impact exponentially.
Forrest Honors Bubba‘s Life and Memory
Forrest promised Bubba he would uphold his dream and be his first mate on a shrimp boat when the war ended. Bubba‘s death only strengthened Forrest‘s commitment. After months of recovery, Forrest invested Lt. Dan‘s money in the fledgling Apple Computer Company.
| Year | Investment | Apple Stock Price | Forrest‘s Net Worth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | $100,000 | $22/share | $2.2 million |
| 1980 | $100,000 | $314/share | $31.4 million |
Forrest ended up a millionaire and bought a shrimp boat, fulfilling his promise to Bubba. Though Bubba was gone, Forrest honored his life by always keeping their dream and friendship alive. Whenever Forrest embarked with his vessels the "Jenny" or "Bubba Blue", he remembered his loyal friend‘s last words.
Bubba‘s Death Defined Forrest
According to Winston Groom who penned the original Forrest Gump novel, "Bubba‘s death was absolutely essential to defining Forrest going forward." The tragic loss of his best friend shaped Forrest into the loyal, selfless, and driven man audiences rooted for through the years.
Bubba‘s memory powered Forrest through heartbreak, failure, and loss. Any time Forrest felt adrift, Bubba‘s comforting words "I wanna go home" grounded and guided him. Though short, this powerful line encapsulated their bond and called Forrest back to what mattered most.
Bubba‘s Final Words Carry Meaning and Tragedy
In his final moments in Forrest‘s arms, Bubba distills his hope, fear, and love into three words – "I wanna go home." This singular line captures the wrenching tragedy of his young life cut short by war. It also reveals the true meaning of friendship, as Bubba finds home and peace with Forrest until the very end. The impact of his tender last words endures for audiences and for Forrest.
