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In Korea, in late 1950, U.S. Marines, accompanied by bombers and tanks, swarm onto an enemy-infested beach.  Once the beach is secure, one platoon, known as Dragon 2, is ordered to take a nearby village.  Another battle ensues, and after the Communists surrender to the Marines, Dragon 2, led by 1st Lieutenant Frank Davis, rests in an abandoned building.  There, Frank recalls his recent past, when he was recuperating from a war wound in a military hospital in Japan.

When Frank learns that he is to be released the next day and returned to duty, he persuades nurse Lieutenant Mary Ferguson, with whom he has fallen in love, to join him for a farewell dinner.  During the evening, Frank assures Mary that he truly loves her and silences her hesitations with kisses.

Back in the present, Frank concludes his reverie and falls asleep, while Corporal Jake Pachecho, a former truck driver, and his college-educated mentor, Teach, discuss the relative merits of higher learning.  Later, after a series of successful battles, the men of Dragon 2 are in their tent talking wistfully about home, when the Chinese-led Communist forces launch an air attack.  The platoon suffers a few injuries, and while in sick bay visiting wounded soldier Orlando, a former gourmet chef, Frank encounters Mary.  Although happy to see Frank, Mary pulls away from his embrace, explaining that she has been engaged to Navy surgeon Bill Stoddard ever since she met him, but at the hospital was unable to admit her involvement.  Surprised, Frank demands to know if Mary loves him or Bill, and when she admits that she is confused, he accuses her of using him.  Frank then gets word to evacuate the surrounding area, as an all-out attack is planned.

Later, after the United Nations forces have almost completely subdued the Communists and Dragon 2 awaits its next assignment, Frank talks about Mary with his best friend, career Marine Sergeant "Mac" McKelvey.  Frank confesses that he is still hoping to win Mary, but cannot bring himself to challenge Bill.  Frank then learns that he is to lead his platoon on a mission to wipe out remaining Communist units in the region and search for a downed C-47 pilot.  While trudging through rough, snow-covered terrain, Dragon 2 launches more successful attacks and locates the pilot.  When the wounded man tells Frank that the five nurses he was transporting when his plane was shot down were taken prisoner by the Chinese army, Frank, aware that Mary is among them, determines to undertake a rescue.

After learning from scouts Pachecho and Teach that the nurses are being held in Chinyong, Frank orders the platoon to invade the town.  Meanwhile, Mary, who along with the other nurses is being held in a church, complains to the Chinese officer-in-charge about conditions and slaps him when he makes an unwanted advance.  To Mary's relief, Dragon 2 soon overwhelms the Chinese and frees the nurses.  Teach is killed in the battle, however, and Pachecho mourns his loss.  Reunited once again, Mary and Frank discuss their romantic dilemma, but still cannot resolve the situation.  Frank then receives orders to retreat to the beach at Hungnam, and with the nurses in tow, the platoon heads into Chinese-dominated territory.  After surviving a series of assaults, Dragon 2 arrives at Hungnam, which U.S. forces have secured.  Fleeing villagers and servicemen gather on a transport ship, and the Hungnam port is destroyed.  While on the ship, Frank meets a thoughtful Bill, who tells him that Mary has just confessed her love for Frank and broken their engagement.  After Bill wishes him luck and shakes his hand, Frank embraces Mary.