United States Army Special Forces return to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. United States Army soldiers and a band lined up as they hold American flags at Pope Air Force Base. They await the return of the special forces soldiers after an attempt to rescue American prisoners of war from a camp near Hanoi, North Vietnam. A United States C-123 aircraft taxis after landing. Soldiers of the special forces get off the aircraft as they return. Family members greet the soldiers. Photographers take pictures. Soldiers reunite with their families and friends. (Vietnam War period).
A helicopter is seen in flight, high overhead. Scene shifts to an OH-6 helicopter of the U.S. Army 54th Field Artillery Group, parked on the ground at a Base Camp, during the Vietnam War. Camera focuses on a 155mm M109 howitzer in a dugout position. U.S. troops standing atop the M109 and others look over their location, where mounds of earth are piled up from excavated defensive positions. Closeup of soldiers taking measurements for the defenses. another view of two persons strapping in an OH-6 helicopter. Soldiers working on the defense preparations, nearby. The helicopter takes of raising lots of dust. Camera follows it as it climbs and passes over the U.S. base, showing various buildings and other features of the base. (Note: Reportedly, the 54th Artillery Group was deactivated in November 1969 and all aircraft were given to other units.)
Preflight and post flight activities at Da Nang Air Base in Vietnam. Grumman HU-16B Albatross parked on ground. Crew members perform post flight inspection. Napalm tanks, storage drums and pasteurized containers in munition storage area. A sign on Napalm tank reads 'Hanoi B-B-Q Spacial From Us To Them Gooks'.
Chinese soldiers at Indo supply lines in Vietnam. Red Forces walk along a road and cut vital supplies to besiege Dien Bien Phu. Roads leading to the seaport of Haiphong are mined. Smoke rises. Views of damaged equipment and wounded men. Sign of 'Ben Yen NH, Hanoi'. Vehicles pass on the highway. Vietnamese men repair railroads which are mined. A train passes after overhauling.
French troops prepare for defense in Vietnam. French paratroopers trained in American planes and methods, train for future action in Indo-China. Low- flying American-made planes drop napalm bombs, score a major victory over the communists near Hanoi. Soldiers help the civilians after the bombarding and destruction in Saigon. Destroyed vehicles on street.
The Selective Service System (SSS) holds a draft lottery in 1969. The Lottery selection system chooses soldiers for induction into the Vietnam War. Members of the Selective Service Youth Advisory Committee participate in the draft, choosing birth dates from a glass bowl. The dates are read aloud and posted on the draft board. One young man protests by flashing a Peace sign with his fingers every time he chooses a draft number.