American soldiers silhouetted against light sky at sunset in Camp Desert Rock, Nevada, as they await start of the Army's atomic exercise, "Desert Rock VI." Scene shifts to the "Strip" in Las Vegas, illuminated by neon signs, including those for the Golden Nugget and the Last Frontier. Women in white costumes dance in a weekly free performance sponsored by the Las Vegas Variety Club. Soldiers in uniform sit at tables watching the show.
John Charles Daly stands in the Hall of Heroes, at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, U.S.A. Behind him is a display containing names of the American military recipients of the Medal of Honor. He points to a section of a display listing 131 names added during the Korean War. He then moves to the latest section of the display, covering the period 1964 and subsequent, in the Vietnam War. At this point, the film begins to depict scenes from the Vietnam conflict. An American soldier holding a rifle is silhouetted against a light sky background. U.S. soldiers firing M-16 rifles. shadow cast by a Bell UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) helicopter flying overhead. Soldier firing machine gun from M113 armored personnel carrier (APC). U.S. gun crews firing 105mm howitzer; 175mm self-propelled gun; M107 Howitzer; and battery of howitzers in the field. Army troops inside a helicopter. View from below of CH-47 helicopter (Jolly Green Giant) landing and troops leaving its rear door. A patrol of American soldiers firing their weapons as they move forward. Soldiers dealing with difficult terrain. One stepping through deep mud. Infantry patrol moving and taking cover. A soldier using field radio. A UH-1 flying over palm trees. Infantry moving through jungle accompanied by M113 APC. Explosions and fire. Soldiers boarding a Huey helicopter, as the ship's gunner delivers covering fire by machine gun. Soldiers having a smoke while airborne in the helicopter.
Scenes of Washington DC streets. A white car is escorted by police motorcycles. Parking area across from the White House. US President Richard Nixon reviews U.S. Marines at Camp Pendleton, California. He troops the line, standing in a jeep. Field artillery guns are fired in salute. Large crowd attends ceremony. Presidential helicopter parked near parade grounds. President Nixon and U.S. Marine Commandant,General Leonard Fielding Chapman, walk across lawn together. Marines of First Marine Division, march in fatigue uniforms, with sleeves rolled. Marching band moves to center of field and then performs a slow-step march, while playing. Colors of Units from the First Marine Division assemble in the field and are carried forward. A U.S. Marine Corps flag is lowered and President Nixon fastens a Presidential Unit Citation streamer to it, as General Chapman and a Marine officer in fatigues stand beside him. President Nixon and the officers then turn and walk back towards reviewing stand. President Nixon puts his arm on shoulder of officer in fatigues and converses with him. Nixon shakes his hand. President Nixon and General Chapman join other officials on reviewing stand, where Nixon steps to microphone and begins to speak. (Vietnam War period).
Colors of First Marine Division units are returned to their respective places in formation after award of Presidential Unit Citation, by President Nixon. A flight of 3 Marine F-4 fighters flies overhead at low altitude. They are followed by a KC-130 refueling aircraft with two F-4s in refueling positions behind trailing hoses. A flight of three OV-10A aircraft fly over the assembly, followed by a flight of three light helicopters, a flight of three medium lift (CH-46) helicopters, and a flight of three heavy lift (CH-53) helicopters. The First Marine Division passes in review. President Nixon applauds, and General Chapman does, as well.
Following review of First Marine Division and awarding them a Presidential Unit Citation, President Nixon mingles with U.S. Marine Commandant, General Chapman and other officers. Then, he and his daughter, Tricia, make their way to an open car waiting at edge of grass.They enter the car and wave. General Chapman salutes, and Nixon turns and shakes his hand. The car then moves ahead as President Nixon stands and waves to spectators. Enthusiastic spectators surround the car and make driving difficult. Secret Service agents try to keep people away from the moving car. Marines ot the First Division run to see the President up close. President Nixon seems to be enjoying the show of enthusiasm, as Marines and Secret Service personnel form a cordon around the President's car.
U.S. soldiers at Camp Gordon, Georgia. Interiors of gymnasium shows instructor as he starts exercise. Class doing the exercise. Class sitting in gymnasium watch two exhibition. Class of soldiers applauding. Class exercising in the gym. Judo demonstration in progress.
CRITICALPAST.COM: About Us | Contact Us | FAQs - How to Order | License Agreement | My Account | My Lightboxes | Shopping Cart | Advanced Search | Featured Collections | Website Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy ©2026 CriticalPast LLC.
License Agreement |
Terms & Conditions |
Privacy Policy
©2026 CriticalPast LLC.