First half of the film shows explosions along the shore from U.S. naval gunfire. The explosions appear to indicate various types of munitions being used, including occasional bursts of white phosphorus shells. At TC:2:08, the U.S. Destroyer USS Mansfield (DD-728) is seen engaged in the bombardment. View from her bridge shows her 5-inch/38 guns turned to port and firing a salvo from the forward pair of guns. Thereafter the remainder of the film shows more views of her shells striking along the shore. Mountains are seen close to the shore in the background.
The USS Mansfield (DD-728) fires a salvo, from 5-inch guns, to port at nighttime, during Operation Sea Dragon, in the Vietnam War. The firing generates a fireball and brown smoke that slowly drifts away to port. Next, are several scenes from the bridge of the Mansfield, looking down on her twin 5-inch gun turrets turned forward. These are taken as dawn gradually increases the ambient light. A sailor is seen at the Mk 37 Director position above the bridge of the Mansfield. The film ends with numerous views of a U.S. Army Cessna O-1E/L-19 observation plane making passes, at low altitude, near and above the Mansfield.
USS Mansfield hitting 5-inch shells on the shore line, the area containing the Viet Cong during Operation Sea Dragon in Vietnam. View of shore. Smoke arise from shore. White phosphorus shells explodes at the shore line. Mountains in background of the shore. Shells striking beach area fired from USS Mansfield. 5-inch gun firing at shore. A man enters the mount. Empty shell casings come out of the chutes. Twin guns of the mount fire salvo. A man stands at the mount as it fires. (Vietnam War period).
Explosions at the shore line from shelling by 5-inch guns of the USS Mansfield (DD-728) during Operation Sea Dragon in Vietnam. Smoke arises from shore. White phosphorus shells explode at the beach. Mountains in background .. Various views of shells striking beach area. Brief view from the bridge, of Mansfield's two forward twin 5-inch turrets turned to port and firing rounds. Numerous explosions along the shore.
USS Hanson (DD-832) underway at sea during Operation Sea Dragon in Vietnam. An officer looks through binoculars. Signalman wearing helmet and flak jacket looks through long glass. 5-inch guns fires. Firing from shore. Petty officer in helmet and flak jacket speaks. Crewman in helmet and flak jacket during General Quarter. Two officers on bridge talk. Captain Brooks W Setzer, Commanding Officer, Destroyer Division 152, on bridge of USS Mansfield (DD-728). The Captain sits with a crew member in interior of bridge area. Men removing empty shell casings from deck of ship. A man touches end of a gun barrel and removes hand quickly because of heat from firing. Crewman put empty casings in cans. Crewman assemble shell cans on deck. Empty shell cases drop out from underneath of mount. Twin 5-inch of DD-728. Gun director radar on top of mount in operation. Part of a range finder seen.
Twin mount of USS Mansfield (DD-728) during Operation Sea Dragon in Vietnam. The ship underway at high speed. Its guns trained to port continuously fires. Gun barrels of 5-inch guns. Captain Brooks W Setzer, Commanding Officer, Destroyer Division 152, moves away keeping one hand over his ear. Commander D P Nellis cups his hands over his mouth and hollers. Smoke is released as guns fire. USS Hanson underway at high speed, fires at shore continuously. Shells exploding in water. Smoke is released as guns fire from USS Mansfield. A boat on Mansfield secured in davits swings.