Watch The Big Picture - The Code of the Fighting Man

Experience the American Journey through our country's visual heritage in this historical recording provided by the National Archives of the United States. From the U.S. Army's "The Big Picture" television series, 1950-1975. Company A is in a desperate situation. A major enemy offensive has succeeded in penetrating the front with such strength that the X Corps has been required to retire to the rear, leaving the company cut off and surrounded. There are many courses left to the company commander and the one he chooses is to stay and fight. So begins this episode from THE BIG PICTURE series. After two days and nights of continuous enemy attacks, he realizes that to remain will only result in the company's annihilation. The order is to divide into small groups and escape back to their own lines by infiltration, but before it can be carried out the enemy attacks again. Most of the company, including the company commander, are killed. Five men are taken prisoner. As they are marched off for interrogation they watch eagerly for some opportunity to escape. Finally, they take a chance and overpower the guards. During the pursuit two of the men manage to get away. For the three who are left another battle begins. They are separated and led through a series of interrogations, each more cleverly devised than the other. But they do not break and, like the men who succeeded in the escape, the victory is theirs. With this THE BIG PICTURE, the importance of the Code of Conduct which outlines the soldier's moral obligation to his country is made vivid and dramatic.

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The content summary for this video is adapted from an historical description provided by the government agency or donor at the time of production release.