Wounded marines are taken care of by medics and doctors during a Pacific campaign of World War II. U.S. personnel wade through surf and head for a beach. Two photographers carrying movie camera and speed-graphic take pictures during the battle. Several marines run over the beach area. A dead marine is carried on a stretcher. Medics take care of a wounded marine. He is being assisted from a landing craft. Men aboard a ship, look down over the side-- many of them wearing bandages. Wounded assisted from landing craft into another boat. The photographer shoots movies. A wounded Marine is removed from boat to a ship on a pallet. Doctors tend to the wounded marine in an operating room.
Japanese prisoners march and are interrogated on an island by U.S. personnel during the Pacific campaign of World War II. U.S. personnel aboard a ship look towards AKA (Attack Cargo Ship) ships at anchor in mid background. Task Force vessels in a harbor off the island. Men roll fuel drums from an LST (Landing Ship Tank) in background. Men walk over the beach. Small bulldozer underway in background. Japanese prisoners are marched over the beach. Marines in foreground. A Japanese prisoner is interrogated. A photographer shoots movies on the island. Japanese prisoners walk in a single file through the compound. U.S. personnel take care of civilians. Number being painted on arms of civilians and their children. Faces of islanders.
Aerial view of Japanese island base with wing tip of plane in view. Aerial view of two small ships at sea, one of them on fire. Side view of T-6 fighter in flight. Aerial view of entire island followed by closer view showing smoke coming from structure near beach. T-6 airplane lands on aircraft carrier. Water sprayed on deck of aircraft carrier as a U.S. Navy Crossing the Line Ceremony begins. Court of King Neptune assembled on deck. Pollywogs run a gauntlet on deck during hazing ritual as they become Shellbacks. A sailor laughs as he displays the outlandish haircut he has received as part of the ceremony.
African American soldiers with the 81st ("Wildcat") Infantry Division fight in a boxing match on deck of ship sailing to Guadalcanal during World War II. Soldiers from audience laugh as they watch the match. Man chewing on snack. Referee helps smiling African American boxer stand up. Shirtless servicemen clapping after boxing match. An African American soldier identified by narrator as "Curly Miller" performs a solo dance while band plays.
A ‘Jolly Rogers’ pirate flag seen during line crossing ceremony on board ship transporting 81st Infantry Division troops during World War II. A man dressed as pirate with eyepatch. Soldiers dressed as "pollywogs" climb wooden ladder while other soldiers hit their buttocks with play weapons. They force a lying sailor to drink a ladle of water as the ship crosses the equator. A one star general, also a pollywog in the ceremony, laughs and then leans over to be trapped in the pillory. Men hit the general's buttocks with paddles playfully and then cut his hair. The general then receives a a “dental inspection” with his mouth "injected" with an empty pesticide pump sprayer. The general laughs while being sprayed with a jet of water. Ships sailing to on the Pacific. Silhouette of a sailor looking at the ocean while on watch.
United States and Christian cross flags flying on top of ship transporting United States troops of the 81st Infantry Division during World War II. Soldier plays organ. Soldier reads a prayer book. Servicemen and sailors attend religious service. They pray. They kneel in unison.