Animated map shows U.S. forces extending control in the Pacific to the Mariana Islands islands in the Pacific during World War 2. It shows chain of airfields linking island of Truk to homeland, Japan. Map focuses on island of Truk, in Micronesia, showing concentration of Japanese aircraft, ships, and troops there. Paths of U.S. air and naval attacks on Truk are shown. Map shows Japanese fleet withdrawing and U.S. forces by-passing Truk to concentrate on the Mariana islands. U.S. naval task force is seen off the island of Saipan on June 11, 1944. Two U.S. battleships are followed by two escort aircraft carriers/ Barrels of battleship triple guns firing at Saipan. Landing Craft Tank: Rocket LCT(R) firing salvos of rockets. Glimpse from aircraft, overhead, of landing craft leaving white wakes during amphibious assault. Closeups of U.S. troops in landing craft. View from shore of American troops storming ashore through surf, from landing craft, under heavy enemy fire. Closeup of soldier hunkered down in sand. Soldier dropping down from side of beached landing vehicle tracked (LVT). A dead U.S. soldier floating in the water. Troops firing from their LVTs. Shells striking on sandy shore. Marines running with stretcher over their shoulders Fletcher class destroyer firing her guns to port. Brooklyn class light cruiser firing guns to port. View from ships flying Japanese flags, of Japanese warships headed to engage U.S. fleet. Japanese aircraft carriers and Aichi Kokuki KK dive bomber (Val) taking off from a carrier. Aerial closeup of Japanese Val aircraft in flight, with pilot clearly visible before he banks his plane to the left. Formations of Japanese Val aircraft in flight. Formation of American Grumman TBF Avenger aircraft engaging the Japanese. Gun camera film showing Japanese aircraft being shot down. A Japanese aircraft crashing into the sea. Sailors of U.S. ship firing batteries of Bofors 40mm anti aircraft guns. and 20mm anti aircraft guns. Black flak clouds in the sky. A Japanese plane crashing into the sea. Aerial view of formation of Japanese Val aircraft in flight. Closeup of a Japanese Kawasaki Ki-61 (Hien) aircraft maneuvering to attack. More views of Japanese Val aircraft in formation. American dive bombers dropping bombs on, Japanese held, Orote airfield. View from the air of bombs striking and smoke clouds. Fires burning on the airfield. An American navy F6F hellcat plane diving. Gun camera film showing Japanese aircraft being downed. A plane director on deck of U.S. aircraft carrier. Two Grumman TBF aircraft taking off from a carrier. View toward tail of one taking off. U.S. aircraft in formation overhead, and then peeling off in trail formation to attack a target. Japanese ships being strafed. U.S. infantry continuing heavy fighting on Saipan.
Interior view from right side of an aircraft taking off from Torokina Air Strip on Bougainville Island, during World War 2. Numerous aircraft are seen parked near trees beside the runway, including U.S. Marine Corps F4U Corsairs; P-38 Lightnings; RNZAF P-40s; and USAAF Piper L-4 Grasshoppers. F4U Corsairs are taxiing beside the runway. Aircraft interior backward view from the departing aircraft's tail, shows the runway below and behind, with water on two sides. Next, the narrow airstrip is seen as the camera airplane flies overhead, just offshore, parallel to the runway. The camera continues to focus on the airfield as the plane climbs to higher altitude. Aerial view of small islands below, with small boats leaving wakes as they speed across the water. Next is view at lower altitude as the camera plane flies offshore parallel to the airstrip runway, as if on a downwind leg for landing. Next scenes are from above nearby Piva Yoke fighter airstrip, and parallel Piva Uncle bomber airstrip, which appears to be under construction. It is cut out of jungle and no aircraft are seen on it. The camera airplane's right rear horizontal stabilizer is seen momentarily as it flies slowly over the site. Some smoke rises from the area. Views of mountain and a river, as the flight continues. The final view is from offshore, over the sea.
United States Navy 7th Naval Fleet operations in South China Sea during the Vietnam War. USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) underway in the South China Sea. A United States Navy aircraft F-4B whizzing by over flight deck during catapult from USS Coral Sea. Catapult crew member runs onto flight deck with a shuttle cover. A United States Navy aircraft A-4B Skyhawk on catapult. An officer gives signal in the foreground. Aircraft catted out. Fuel hose unrolled from a reel in catwalk and onto the flight deck. A United States Navy aircraft F-8D Crusader takes a wave off. A United States Navy aircraft A-3B Skyhawk catches a wire and makes an arrested landing. Aircraft rolls to a stop. The wire is released and wings are folded.
United States Navy 7th Fleet operations in South China Sea during the Vietnam War. A United States Navy aircraft A-3B Skyhawk rolls to a stop. The wire is released and wings are folded. Aircraft taxis off to the left. A-4E catapulted from starboard. Others wait in the foreground. United States Navy aircraft A-4E Skyhawk taxis up to deck. United States Navy aircraft A-3B Skywarrior parked in the background. A United States Navy aircraft F-8D Crusader being catted from catapult. A-4E Skyhawk on a catapult. A-4E Skyhawk catted from catapult. Blast fence being lowered in the foreground. F-8D Crusader catted. A-4E Skyhawk on fly by past the ship during air demonstration. Napalm bomb hits the water in far background making a fireball. Several crew members on flight deck watch. Smoke rises from water as Napalm bombs explode.
President Lyndon Baines Johnson assumes office in the United States. Lyndon B. Johnson addresses the joint session of Congress in the U.S. Capitol. He asks for the help of all Americans, especially in the early weeks when the burden is high as he assumes office. The congressmen clap. The president meets United States Secretary of Defense Robert Strange McNamara. United States Secretary of State David Dean Rusk briefs President Johnson. He meets with the Joint Chiefs of staff. People gather at the former U.S. President John F. Kennedy's grave. He visits the President's grave. The John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame at Arlington National Cemetery. He poses with the First Lady Mrs. Lady Bird Johnson, children Lynda Bird Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson Turpin for a family portrait.
A United States Air Force Lockeed F-104 Starfighter aircraft takes off toward and over the camera, raising its landing gear as it passes. A slate reads: "High Flight." View from underneath as the F-104 flies above the camera. Next it is seen climbing into a clear blue sky. An aerial view as it performs a roll in flight. Views of earth below. Closeup show pilot in cockpit. During maneuvers the aircraft tail number "868" is seen. Closeup glimpse from inside the cockpit. The logo of the Tactical Air Command is seen on the 104's tail. The aircraft continues maneuvering, quietly, until TC: 00:45, when it's flight is accompanied by a voice reciting the sonnet, "High Flight," written by Royal Canadian pilot, John Gillespie Magee Jr., during World War 2.