- The trials and tribulations of a platoon of U.S. Marines, led by 1st Lt. Frank Davis, during the Korean War.
- In 1950, at the onset of the Korean War, the U.S. Marines, supported by tanks, air cover and naval guns land on an enemy-controlled beach. Among the numerous American units is a platoon commanded by 1st Lt. Frank Davis. After the beach is secured, Davis' outfit is ordered to capture an enemy village. After the taking of the village, while the Marines are resting in an abandoned building, Frank Davis reminisces about his recent past and the circumstances of his first meeting with American nurse Mary Ferguson. Told in flashback, the story shows how the two met in a military hospital in Japan where Davis was convalescing. However, this reverie is suddenly interrupted by an enemy attack. In the aftermath, the wounded men are cared for by a group of army nurses and Davis is pleasantly surprised to see Mary among them. Mary has been transferred from Japan to Korea but unfortunately for Davis she also has gotten engaged to U.S. Navy Commander Bill Stoddard. Disappointed by this, Frank Davis vows to try to win Mary back. The nurses and some wounded men leave the area on a C-47 transport plane. Due to an impending enemy counter-offensive the whole region is to be evacuated by the U.S. Forces. Davis is ordered to fetch his platoon and participate in various engagements against the Communist Forces threatening to surround the area. After several exhausting battles among the snow-covered hills, Davis and his men are sent to search behind enemy lines for a downed American C-47 transport plane. Davis has a bad feeling that it was Mary's evacuation aircraft that was shot-down. His fears are confirmed after his platoon locates the wreckage of the plane and one severely-wounded pilot who tells him that Mary Ferguson and other nurses were on the plane. The Chinese Communist Forces captured the surviving nurses and took them to a makeshift POW camp in nearby Chinyong. This is confirmed by two forward scouts from Davis' platoon. The American nurses are suffering from bitter cold, lack of food, heating fuel and medicines and they are mistreated by their Chinese captors. Determined to rescue them, Frank Davis orders his platoon to capture this town. After freeing them from the clutches of the enemy, Davis' unit receives orders, via the wireless radio, to retreat to the main beach at Hungnam. There, the U.S. Navy is in the process of evacuating all American forces. However, in order to reach the beach at Hungnam, Davis together with his men and the freed nurses in tow must cross a Chinese-occupied, snow-covered, rugged area swarming with Communist troops laying in ambush.—nufs68
- In Korea, in late 1950, U.S. Marines, accompanied by bombers and tanks, swarm onto an enemy-infested beach. Once the beach is secure, one platoon, known as Dragon 2, is ordered to take a nearby village. Another battle ensues, and after the Communists surrender to the Marines, Dragon 2, led by 1st Lt. Frank Davis, rests in an abandoned building. There, Frank recalls his recent past, when he was recuperating from a war wound in a military hospital in Japan: When Frank learns that he is to be released the next day and returned to duty, he persuades nurse Lt. Mary Ferguson, with whom he has fallen in love, to join him for a farewell dinner. During the evening, Frank assures Mary that he truly loves her and silences her hesitations with kisses. Back in the present, Frank concludes his reverie and falls asleep, while Corp. Jake Pachecho, a former truck driver, and his college-educated mentor, Teach, discuss the relative merits of higher learning. Later, after a series of successful battles, the men of Dragon 2 are in their tent talking wistfully about home, when the Chinese-led Communist forces launch an air attack. The platoon suffers a few injuries, and while in sick bay visiting wounded soldier Orlando, a former gourmet chef, Frank encounters Mary. Although happy to see Frank, Mary pulls away from his embrace, explaining that she has been engaged to Navy surgeon Bill Stoddard ever since she met him, but at the hospital was unable to admit her involvement. Surprised, Frank demands to know if Mary loves him or Bill, and when she admits that she is confused, he accuses her of using him. Frank then gets word to evacuate the surrounding area, as an all-out attack is planned. Later, after the United Nations forces have almost completely subdued the Communists and Dragon 2 awaits its next assignment, Frank talks about Mary with his best friend, career Marine Sgt. "Mac" McKelvey. Frank confesses that he is still hoping to win Mary, but cannot bring himself to challenge Bill. Frank then learns that he is to lead his platoon on a mission to wipe out remaining Communist units in the region and search for a downed C-47 pilot. While trudging through rough, snow-covered terrain, Dragon 2 launches more successful attacks and locates the pilot. When the wounded man tells Frank that the five nurses he was transporting when his plane was shot down were taken prisoner by the Chinese army, Frank, aware that Mary is among them, determines to undertake a rescue. After learning from scouts Pachecho and Teach that the nurses are being held in Chinyong, Frank orders the platoon to invade the town. Meanwhile, Mary, who along with the other nurses is being held in a church, complains to the Chinese officer-in-charge about conditions and slaps him when he makes an unwanted advance. To Mary's relief, Dragon 2 soon overwhelms the Chinese and frees the nurses. Teach is killed in the battle, however, and Pachecho mourns his loss. Reunited once again, Mary and Frank discuss their romantic dilemma, but still cannot resolve the situation. Frank then receives orders to retreat to the beach at Hungnam, and with the nurses in tow, the platoon heads into Chinese-dominated territory. After surviving a series of assaults, Dragon 2 arrives at Hungnam, which U.S. forces have secured. Fleeing villagers and servicemen gather on a transport ship, and the Hungnam port is destroyed. While on the ship, Frank meets a thoughtful Bill, who tells him that Mary has just confessed her love for Frank and broken their engagement. After Bill wishes him luck and shakes his hand, Frank embraces Mary.
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