F Troop Test | Television

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Captain Wilton Parmenter has no idea he's inept as the commander of F Troop. In fact, he's proud to live up to his family's expectations as a great military leader. What did he do to earn his first medal, at the end of the Civil War?

Answer: Rallied soldiers to charge toward victory

He was only ordered to pick up some laundry, but while riding to his duty, the captain began sneezing, which other officers interpreted as an order to charge. He saved the day, earning him the title of "The Scourge of Appomattox" as well as a medal of honor.

He quickly won a second medal, a purple heart, when he was stabbed by the pin of the first medal as it was presented to him. Thanks to his heroics, he was also awarded the dubious honor of commanding F Troop out west. A song summarizing his heroism, written by Irving Taylor, was sung at the beginning of each first-season show.

2. Near F Troop is a peace-loving, profit-motivated Indian tribe led by Chief Wild Eagle. The small band received its name when it became lost while traveling west. What is the name of the tribe?

Answer: The Hekawi

The Shugs are the fictional but hostile tribe near F Troop, but Chief Wild Eagle's Hekawi band cooperate with the soldiers, comfortable in their role as "lovers, not fighters." They traveled west toward a new home when pilgrims ruined their old neighborhood, but they became lost and contemplated the situation: "Where the heck are we?" It sounded like "We're the Hekawi," and that became their name.

3. What was the name of the fort that the army sent Captain Parmenter to command, after it lost its three previous leaders of F Troop there?

Answer: Fort Courage

Capt. Parmenter's commanders might have had some suspicion that his heroism wasn't entirely deserved. Upon his promotion, they sent him to a post where two previous commanders had deserted and the third had had a nervous breakdown. But perhaps they felt that only the now-famous Scourge of Appomattox would have the ability to control the misfit soldiers of F Troop, who had been sent to Fort Courage in hopes they would desert, according to the secretary of war.

4. When Capt. Parmenter arrives out west to lead F Troop, what is the name of the sergeant who will become one of his biggest supporters?

Answer: Sgt. O'Rourke

Sgt. Morgan O'Rourke not only is the highest ranking non-commissioned officer of F Troop, but is very protective of the newly promoted Capt. Parmenter. The sergeant realizes that an incompetent commander means he can have more time to do what he wants and less time following orders.

5. One of the members of F Troop is visited at different times by cousins who have an uncanny resemblance to him: the French-Canadian Lucky Pierre, the Russian Dmitri Agarnoff, and the Mexicans Pancho Agarnado and his sister Carmen Agarnado. There are also Granny and Uncle Gaylord. Which trooper is lucky enough to have such relatives visiting at various times?

Answer: Corporal Agarn

Corporal Agarn isn't the only member of F Troop with look-alikes. There's also Wilton the Kid, a ringer for Capt. Parmenter, and O'Rourke's Irish father.

6. F Troop has trouble with a lot of the facilities at the fort, but the most consistent problem consists of a poorly-firing cannon. What structure needs repairing virtually every time the cannon finally goes off?

Answer: The lookout tower

The fuse of the fort's cannon, usually fired only for ceremonial reasons, inevitable fizzles down to a misfire. When Corp. Agarn or some other unlucky trooper kicks the cannon to make it fire, the wheel gives way, aiming the muzzle toward the leg of the lookout tower which collapses, sending the hapless sentry tumbling to the ground.

The sequence is shown in the opening credits of the first season as well as in a variety of circumstances during the shows.

7. To his embarrassment, handsome Capt. Parmenter catches the eye of the young woman who runs the store and post office in the village near his fort. Despite her practical attire of men's clothing, her natural femininity shines through. What is her name?

Answer: Wrangler Jane

Jane Angelica Thrift, or Wrangler Jane, can out-ride and out-shoot the men of F Troop and fights alongside them whenever the fort comes under attack. Capt. Parmenter seems attracted but intimidated. If she tries to kiss him, he bashfully responds, "Please Jane, not in front of the men." He hesitates to subject her to the rigors of the life of a soldier's wife, but by the end of the second season, he decides to ease into an engagement and future marriage.

8. Sgt. O'Rourke, Corp. Agarn and the local Indian tribe near F Troop cooperate in a secret side business selling genuine Indian souvenirs to gullible people back east. What is the name of the company?

Answer: O'Rourke Enterprises

Sgt. O'Rourke is happy to fool customers in the east, but he also sometimes uses the cover of O'Rourke Enterprises for other not-always-successful ventures to separate the privates of F Troop from their pay, by selling them cheap suits, offering mail-order brides, or secretly running the local saloon.

When discovery of O'Rourke Enterprises is at risk, Sgt. O'Rourke and Corp. Agarn realize the value of a clueless commander like Capt. Parmenter and work hard to keep him in charge.

9. F Troop contains many memorable troopers, including crusty old Private Duffy, who claims to be the sole survivor of what famous battle?

Answer: The Alamo

Private Duffy is always glad to provide a detailed and dramatic war story of how he fought alongside Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, shoulder to shoulder and backs to the wall at the Alamo in 1836.

10. Another memorable private is Dobbs, who tries manfully to master the musical instrument he was issued by the army, without much success. What instrument does he try play?

Answer: bugle

Hannibal Shirley Dobbs can play Yankee Doodle, Dixie, plus a few splattered notes that sound vaguely like reveille and other army calls. The other troopers seem to understand what to do nonetheless, though Corp. Agarn continually upbraids him for not improving.

A gentle southern mama's boy, Private Dobbs also sometimes acts as a servant to Capt. Parmenter, shining his boots and serving him meals in the officer's quarters.

Source: Author littlepup

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

F Troop Test | Television

F Troop was a zany 1960s US TV show about the cavalry, Indians, the Old West and the 1960s. Though it only lasted two seasons, it was full of subtle details and great comedic acting.

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