We Were Soldiers

In 1954, during the closing phases of the First Indochina War, a French unit encounters an unexpected ambush from North Vietnamese Army forces. The assault leads to heavy casualties, including the deaths of many officers, forcing the veteran soldiers to fight for their survival.

Following the ambush of the French unit, Nguyen Huu An orders the execution of all surviving French soldiers. This brutal decision is made to deter further French involvement in Vietnam and illustrate the resolve of the Viet Minh.

Fast forward eleven years, the United States becomes heavily involved in the Vietnam War. The focus shifts to Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore, who prepares his troops from the 7th Cavalry Regiment for imminent deployment while grappling with the war's political implications.

Hal Moore feels the weight of history as he leads his battalion, aware of the connections to General Custer's demise. He fears President Johnson's plan to conduct the war without a formal declaration will strip his unit of experienced soldiers just before their deployment.

Upon arriving in Vietnam, Moore learns about a recent assault on an American base, prompting him to lead his 400 men into battle. Tasked with gathering intelligence, the urgency heightens as they prepare to confront a formidable enemy force.

Moore and his men make a landing in the treacherous Ia Drang Valley, where they capture a North Vietnamese lookout. The lookout reveals that the area is under the stronghold of over 4,000 North Vietnamese troops, heightening the tension for the American forces.

Tensions elevate when 2nd Lt. Herrick leads a group of soldiers into an ambush, resulting in several fatalities, including his own. The soldiers find themselves encircled and facing a relentless enemy, complicating their chances of survival.

Sgt. Savage assumes command amid the chaos, utilizing artillery and the cover of night to fend off Vietnamese forces. Meanwhile, Moore coordinates with helicopters to reinforce their defenses as the battle rages on.

Back at Fort Benning, the emotional aftermath begins as Lt. Col. Moore's wife Julie and other military families receive the grim task of delivering telegrams to the families of fallen soldiers. The haunting reality of war deeply impacts those waiting at home.

As the battle intensifies, the American troops are heavily outnumbered, yet manage to hold their ground using a combination of artillery and helicopter support. Despite their efforts, Nguyen Huu An's forces launch an extensive attack to overpower their position.

In a dire situation, Moore calls for a 'Broken Arrow,' indicating his troops are on the verge of being overrun and requesting air support. The resulting aerial bombardment of bombs and napalm devastates enemy troops but also causes tragic casualties among Moore's men.

Following the retreat of enemy forces, Moore's remaining troops, under Sgt. Savage's leadership, regroup and devise a strategy to target the Vietnamese division headquarters. This renewed plan ignites a final assault against the Americans.

As the American troops charge forward, Major Crandall and his helicopter gunships intervene decisively, resulting in significant enemy casualties. This pivotal moment turns the tide, allowing the beleaguered Americans to push back against their foes.

After the battle subsides, Moore returns to the landing zone, fulfilling his promise to evacuate all of his men, including the fallen and wounded. These moments are filled with poignancy as the realities of war weigh heavily on the soldiers.

In the aftermath, as the Americans retreat, the landing zone quickly falls back under North Vietnamese control. Moore's reflection on the battle reveals a sobering reality, indicating that the conflict will continue to unfold with significant human costs.