The men of the 182nd Infantry Regiment stand at "Present Arms" in a formal ceremony held on Bougainville in 1944. U.S. Major General O.W. Griswold speaks into a microphone in a field and troops line up in the background. The Major General decorates solders as he pins medals onto their uniforms, in recognition of their defense of Hill 260, redubbed 'Bunker Hill' in honor of the 182nd Army Division, whose history can be traced back to the Battle of Bunker Hill. Major General speaks into the microphone. Troops march in parade. Allied band and troops with color guard pass in review. Soldiers unveil a poster that reads ' Bunker Hill Road' depicting an eagle flying in front of the Japanese 'rising sun' flag. A band plays at the ceremony. Those awarded for defending Hill 260 include, amongst many others, Sgt Edward Monahan, Sgt William Joyce, Sgt Daniel Ramsey, and Private First Class John P. Correggio. (World War II period).
Brief view of damage to Light Cruiser, USS Birmingham (CL-62) suffered while trying to aid Light Aircraft Carrier, USS Princeton (CVL-23) which burned and exploded from Japanese bombing, on Oct. 24, 1944, in World War 2. Scene shifts to United States sailors aboard a battle ship wearing Purple Heart medals awarded following Battles of Midway and Coral Sea. Fleet Admiral Chester W Nimitz, commander of U.S. Navy forces and General Douglas MacArthur, commander of U.S. ground forces, look at a map on wall, and consult together. MacArthur holds his traditional corn cob pipe. Admiral Nimitz on battlefield inspection tour with Admiral William Halsey and Navy Secretary Frank Knox in Solomon Islands. American flag flutters at United States Base camp. President Roosevelt, Admiral Nimitz and General MacArthur meeting at CINCPAC headquarters. Nimitz points at a map on wall. Roosevelt and MacArthur having private conversation. Admiral Nimitz hands pointer to General MacArthur, who prepares to brief the President about the final invasion of Japan. Admiral Nimitz climbs over an obstacle and sits next to President Roosevelt. Outdoor scene on Hawaii, President Roosevelt seated and Admiral Nimitz and other officers standing in relaxed gathering.
A burial in Bougainville Cemetery, Solomon Islands. Grave marks in the cemetery. Names written on the crosses. Soldiers dig graves and put a dead body in a grave. A burial service for United States Marines. (World War II period).
United States 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Division troops on Hill 700, Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands. An infantryman fires a carbine from a concealed position. He crawls out of a foxhole. A soldier in the foxhole reads a letter. (World War II period).
United States 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Division troops on Hill 700, Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands. A patrol with full packs and carbines deploy through broken brush. The troops advance cautiously. A Japanese soldier hides behind a boulder. He is hit by gun fire. Dead Japanese soldier. U.S. soldiers throw hand grenades. Soldiers crawl on stomach towards gun emplacement. (World War II period).
United States troops in the Solomon Islands during World War II. Tactical maneuver of bypassing some Japanese held islands and advancing to more strategic positions is explained. U.S. soldiers aboard a tank advancing along a shore. Some of the soldiers walking along the shore. They fire at Japanese positions. Holding rifles they search for Japanese prisoners. Buildings on a field. The soldiers standing in front of the buildings. Dead bodies of Japanese soldiers lying on the field.