Men being imparted training in the United States. An instructor stands by the pool side as new recruits hold a bar along the pool wall and swim. Men play in the pool as they splash water. Recruits learn the water rescue tactics. Recruits jump into the pool.
U.S. troops celebrate Christmas in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. A cardboard cut out depicting Santa Claus at the entrance of a barracks. A soldier holds a small white Christmas tree. Other soldiers decorate a tree with ornaments. A Christmas tree and a cross at the entrance of a chapel. United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk underway at sea. An altar aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. A bible placed at the altar. A Christmas tree decorated with greeting cards. Santa Claus arrives at an orphanage in Vietnam on board a tank that has been painted white and appointed with a sled and reindeers, along with the words, 'Merry Christmas.' A sign at the orphanage reads 'Merry Christmas and Happy New Year' and depicts Santa driving a bulldozer. Vietnamese children wave. The U.S. Navy Chaplains Corp Chief James Kelly speaks at a desk extending Christmas wishes. A Chaplain conducts a prayer service. A patrol boat underway at sea. The American flag waves alongside the South Vietnamese flag. Background music is U.S. Navy Seachanters singing Christmas Carol "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day".
New recruits engage in close order drill with rifles, at the U.S. Great Lakes Naval Training Center in World War 2. They execute the manual of arms with their rifles. A dozen or more recruits in a dory, practice rowing in unison. Change of scene shows sailors responding to general quarters manning guns aboard a USS Pennsylvania class battleship. They fire the ship's guns. A bow view of the battleship making way as her forward triple turrets are firing to port. Recruits standing at attention when an officer enters the barracks. Navy commissioned officers displaying the same courtesy when a superior officer enters their ward room.
U.S. Navy 7th fleet operations in South China Sea during the Vietnam War. U.S. Navy Lieutenant, an Air Force airman 1st at a conference held in wardroom aboard USS Coral Sea. Rear Admiral Edward C. Outlaw answers questions from news men. Officer speaks into a microphone as newsmen jot down notes. Others at the conference include Lieutenant Commander R. Gallagher, G. Wright, C. Brovelli of Agnay France press, W. Tuohy of Newsweek, Captain P. Behm, Airman First Class Ray Heitman,Lieutenant Commander W. Lyons, Commander J. Harris, Commander J.M.Schneider, Norris of Washington Post. W.C. Powell, Commander K.J. Weaver. Rear Admiral Outlaw reaches across the table and shakes hands with newsmen. Newsmen at the table as they write down notes. Members of the press and officers at table as a steward serves refreshments. Rear Admiral Outlaw answers questions. A member of the press asks a question.
.Strategic Air Command launches its first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile from new facilities at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Shrouded Atlas missile on trailer enters the Pine Canyon Gate of Vandenberg AFB. Trailer being backed into the Missile Assembly Building (MAB). Electronic checkout of Atlas being carried out by computerized equipment at the MAB building. Views of Hollerith 88-column punch cards being loaded into the computer equipment and tape outputs being produced. Atlas on launch pad. USAF airmen and officers at controls and consoles at SAC (Strategic Air Command) headquarters and Vandenberg air base. The order to perform a test launch is issued by SAC headquarters and received by the launch control officers at Vandenberg AFB. The Atlas missile is successfully launched. (Note: According to a Convair technician, who was there, this launch was done in cooperation with Convair Astronautics of San Diego. Although this film shows only U.S. Air force personnel, it was the Convair Test Conductor and the Convair Crew that did the countdown for the launch, which was the final step to sell the Launch Sites (A-B-C) and the Block House to the Air Force. Reportedly, Convair celebrated with a launch party afterwards, that included James Dempsey, head of Convair Astronautics.)
American troops are seen boarding a transport ship in the opening scene, heading for the war front in Europe during World War 2. Closeup of the ship leaving the dock in the United States. Closeup of soldiers on deck looking back as they depart. Glimpse of upper deck of the ship completely filled with soldier passengers. Soldiers in their multi-bunk rooms aboard ship. Soldiers on ship's deck wearing life preservers. An impromptu band of soldier musicians entertains the troops. Others pass the time in card games,and sharing letters from home. Next, soldiers are seen watching as the troop ship arrives in Liverpool, England. A British army band plays to welcome them. View from the ship of American soldiers descending a gangplank to the Liverpool dock, where U.S. army trucks and an ambulance awaited them. Sailors, and a Women's Army Corp (WAC) Sergeant, feed pigeons on dock. One sailor poses with a small English girl. Film shifts to scenes of wartime London which occupy the remainder of the film. Several U.S. Army officers walk along a London sidewalk A British woman army sergeant and a local policeman. An English Bobbie (police officer with tall helmet) poses for the camera with several sailors and an American WAC Sergeant. U.S. soldiers and Military police (MPs) posing in front of a shop with U.S. Marine Corps logo on the window. Street scene with U.S. soldier walking past a sign reading: "USA cars, No Entry." More street scenes showing various British military and police in the city. A sign reading, "American Red Cross Services for Women." Another sign reading, "A uniformed Red Cross woman. Sign identifying the "Yugoslav Relief Society" headquarters. Canadian soldiers near the headquarters of the "RCAF Overseas." A Norwegian sailor with cap reading,"Norske Marine." Street sign pointing toward :"Canadian Red Cross and Maple Leaf Club." Headquarters of the "Newfoundland Caribou Club." Uniformed women from a Canadian province. Three Canadian soldiers lighting cigarettes. A local park in the background. Sign above "Merchant Navy Comforts Club." Sign reading: "St. Columbia Catholic Services Club." An Australian soldier walking on the sidewalk. Two uniformed women consulting a guide book with two American MPs. A Scottish soldier wearing a kilt accompanying a woman. Brief glimpses of various Allied soldiers from the British Commonwealth. British soldier wearing a busby hat. "Lion Services Club" sign with lion image. "Armoured Royal Corps Club" sign. "New Zealand Forces Club.""United Nations' Forces' Club."
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