A young officer, just out of West Point is sent to Vietnam, where the men don't respect him until he gets wounded and returns to be a wiser soldier and a better commander
West Point graduate lieutenant Jeff Knight meets cynicism when taking command of sergeant Michael McNamara's tour veterans platoon in a Vietnamese trench camp. Unlike his predecessor, who hid till the end of his tour, Jeff takes charge, experiences the manual doesn't allow coping with all realities and gets wounded. He returns, now fully respect by men and superiors. Besides the Vietcong, the platoon wrestles with the inscrutable villagers, which the GIs officially protect, but also fear as some collaborate with them, other covertly with the Cong, either way subject to bloody reprisals.—KGF Vissers
During the Vietnam War set in the mid 1960s, Lieutenant Jeff Knight (Michael Dudikoff) arrives at an outpost in South Vietnam to lead U.S. soldiers in protecting a nearby village from the enemy Viet Cong (VC). Recently graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, Knight orders the platoon to follow textbooks rules. Veteran solider Sergeant Michael McNamara (Robert F. Lyons) cautions Knight that the platoon needs a leader who knows when to be flexible with rules and regulations. However, Knight wants to prove his worth and does not take McNamara's advice. While Knight joins patrols with the men, his instructions are consistently questioned and he is ridiculed for almost falling into VC traps.
Later, Knight accidentally triggers a tripwire and is caught in an explosion. McNamara radios for help and Knight is airlifted to a field hospital. As he recuperates, Major Flynn (William Smith) visits Knight and informs him that the village his platoon is protecting needs to be kept out of VC control. After healing, Knight returns to the outpost and reinforces the village barricades.
Later, the body of a villager is found with a note from VC guerrillas. Tracking the enemy combatants to a waterfall, Knight and his men kill the VC with grenades. Afterward, Knight attempts to contact Sgt. McNamara's squad, but is unable to do so.
During their search, a group of VC ambushes Knight and his soldiers, resulting in the deaths of radio operator Joshua Parker (Jesse Dobson) and a medic. Knight requests reinforcements from Major Flynn, and receives three new recruits.
That evening, Knight finds the outpost surrounded by VC soldiers. Sounding the alarm, Knight and the platoon hold off the attack until air support arrives, forcing the enemy to retreat. Afterward, Knight confesses to McNamara that he does not feel he is an effective leader. However, McNamara convinces Knight to stay and finish his job.
Later, Knight meets with lieutenants from other platoons and learns that the VC are planning an attack on the village. At Knight's suggestion, the lieutenants give him control of the operation. Leading his squad into position, Knight sends McNamara to join another platoon. When McNamara is ambushed, Knight runs to his aid. After McNamara is airlifted to the field hospital, Knight learns that the VC have attacked the village, killing villagers burning homes. While Knight searches for survivors, a bomb explodes and throws shrapnel into his eye.
At the field hospital, Knight visits McNamara and informs him that, although the VC destroyed the village, the platoon has already started to rebuild it. Knight also agrees with McNamara's belief that no amount of education could prepare him to be a wartime leader. Discharged from the hospital, McNamara returns to the outpost and is greeted by his platoon leader, Lt. Knight.
