Halls of Montezuma

The unit prepares to land on a Japanese-held island in the Pacific. Gilfillan orders the platoon to capture prisoners to gain information about fortifications. The plan hinges on interrogating captured Japanese to locate the rocket batteries.

Lt. Carl A. Anderson reassures a frightened corporal, Frank Conroy, that he has shown courage before and can do so again. The moment underscores the morale and leadership that will drive the mission. Doc Jones relies on painkillers to stay functional during the peril ahead.

Anderson leads his men as they hit the beach and dig in. The battalion establishes a foothold on the island and prepares to move inland. The groundwork is laid for the upcoming rocket threat and prisoner-focused intelligence work.

The unit tries to seize a ridge but is halted by a sudden Japanese rocket attack. The radio operator Coffman is killed in the bombardment, marking a brutal setback. The survivors regroup and plan the next move.

Back at battalion headquarters, Gilfillan informs them of a nine-hour window to stop the rockets and assigns Anderson's platoon to capture Japanese prisoners for interrogation. Johnson, an expert in Oriental languages and culture, is brought in to assist. The mission shifts toward gathering actionable intelligence.

Guided by Johnson, Anderson leads six battle-hardened veterans toward a Japanese-held cave. They are ambushed but manage to capture five enemy soldiers while the rest are killed. The return journey is costly, and Doc dies alongside others.

The group delivers their prisoners at headquarters, where one Japanese officer commits harakiri. The patrol survives the ordeal and reports back, providing crucial information for interrogation and intelligence gathering.

Interrogations reveal that one of the prisoners is a highly educated officer disguised as a private. Johnson and Anderson deduce the true Japanese objectives and begin to pinpoint the rocket batteries' location.

A map expert at headquarters confirms the rocket location. With this breakthrough, Anderson's mission is deemed accomplished, and Gilfillan offers grateful thanks for the crucial intelligence.

On the return to the platoon, Conroy is killed, and Anderson receives the grim news. War correspondent Dickerman reads aloud a note from Doc, urging him to stay strong for those who survive him.

Doc's plea resonates with Anderson, who resolves to endure the pain and protect his men. Dickerman's reading deepens the emotional weight of the loss, making the personal cost of war undeniable.

Inspired by Doc's message, Anderson smashes his painkillers and leads his men into another assault against the Japanese positions. The team presses the offensive with renewed determination.

As the assault continues, U.S. Navy Corsairs swoop in and demolish the rocket positions. Their aerial support caps the operation and showcases the power of combined arms in clearing the threat.