Opening scene shows deck of the Swedish ocean liner M.S. Gripsholm, as it is departing Jersey City, New Jersey, with Japanese Nationals and Issei (First generation Japanese) aboard, who are being repatriated from the United States to Japan, during World War 2. The Swedish First Mate is seen on deck speaking with two Red Cross women dressed in white. The Swedish flag is seen in the background. A very small Japanese boy squats on the deck and watches several Lehigh Valley Railroad barges passing nearby, including one containing a house. Glimpse of the Gripsholm's Captain and a sailor on deck. Japanese women walk about on the deck and join other passengers and some crew who are looking across the Hudson River at the Manhattan, New York City skyline.
American and Australian troop convoy underway at sea, and then arriving at Port Moresby, New Guinea. A Hudson bomber of the Royal Australian Air Force flys by the troop ship escorting them into the harbor. U.S. and Australian troops unloading men and supplies at Port Moresby. Japanese planes attack the dock area and troop convoy. Elevated land-based views of the harbor with explosions and smoke during the bombing. Anti aircraft guns fired at enemy planes. Soldiers and sailors on ships at harbor open fire on the Japanese aircraft overhead. Planes drop bombs and explosions occur. Complete change of scene to the USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. United States Navy sailors fighting fires aboard the USS Yorktown. Japanese airplanes overhead during the Battle of Midway attacking the Yorktown. Patterns of tracer bullets seen fired from the Yorktown. Japanese torpedo bomber aircraft is hit by gunners on the USS Yorktown.
A U.S. Air Force C-13OE, carrying freed hostages (some dead and injured) from Stanleyville, taxis to parking position near hangar in Leopoldville, Republic of Congo. Ambassador George M. Godley boards the plane as crewmen including Captain Charles Gonzales stand next to the plane. A United States Marine Corps Corporal and an American Army Private First Class stand in the hangar, holding a folded American flag with a priest in background. A covered body being carried off the aircraft and placed near other such bodies, lying on the hangar floor. Refugees get off the plane. A number of other refugees, arrive at the airfield preparing to leave the Congo. Some carry passports.
Priest conducts services for dead in Leopoldville, Republic of Congo. United States Marines place American flags over bodies of two Americans who were among group of Belgians and Americans held hostage, and slain by Simba rebels in Stanleyville. Honorable George M. Godley, U.S. Ambassador to Congo is present.
Allied soldiers cheer to celebrate the occasion of World War II coming to an end, around the time of VJ Day (Victory over Japan) at the end of World War 2. Allied prisoners liberated from Japanese prison camps are seen arriving by railroad train at stations for transfer to nearby ships. The former POW soldiers greet and embrace one another. A uniformed soldier kisses a woman soldier in uniform. They move in trucks celebrating Allied victory in war. Cheering soldiers hold up an American flag at the front of the truck filled with liberated prisoners. A boat carries some liberated soldiers toward the United States hospital ship USS Benevolence (AH-13), as a former Japanese guards watches from shore, and U.S soldiers look on. Flags of Allied nations are seen, superimposed on images of saluting soldiers, as soundtrack in background plays audio of part of speech by General MacArthur aboard the USS Missouri during the Japanese surrender ceremony.
A ship and boats underway in sea. Two planes fly overhead. Planes in formation overhead s seen from the United States Navy aircraft carrier Independence (CVL-22). A line of smaller craft being towed are also seen. World War 2 period.
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