This propaganda film “A Nation Builds Under Fire” was released in 1967. It was made to showcase the efforts of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, with a focus on the aid lent by Americans to the South Vietnamese people. Actor John Wayne hosted and narrated the film, which more or less coincided with the production of the feature film “The Green Berets”. This film was produced by Armed Forces Information and Education at the Army Pictorial Center. Harry Middleton wrote and directed the film, with Ben Stelson as producer and Robert Matthews as editor.

Former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey presents the film (00:07). He strongly promotes the goal of peace (01:17). Sketches illustrate the narrated story of the years of pain for the Vietnamese people (02:02). “A Nation Builds Under Fire” title banner (03:19). Streets in Vietnam, crowded with locals (03:43). Various military department heads are gathered alongside John Wayne at a countryside campsite (04:45). The rural life of locals in a small village north of Saigon (06:10). Air Force Sergeant Shelley Blunt and John Wayne explains some dynamics of the war (07:15). Spec 5 Dale Camry speaks on the Vietnamese government’s initiatives for ending the war (08:33). Scenes of families’ lives in the countryside (08:55). A group of locals is seated at a gathering expressing sorrow (09:26). US Navy Lieutenant Mark Nelson talks about the wishes of the locals (09:35). Marine sergeant Ken Sanders continues (09:53). The named military department heads converse about the struggles of the war (10:12). More footage of the humble life of Vietnamese people in the countryside (10:42). The named military department heads explain the troubles of the armed communist organization Viet Cong (11:02). A F-4 Phantom II jet (11:23). A Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 aircraft (11:34). Explosions following airborne attacks (11:41). A Navy ship firing cannons (12:07). Soldiers dressed camouflaged uniforms (12:23). Soldiers marching on an Air Force base (12:38). Helicopters take off (12:42). Soldiers firing their arms in a jungle battle zone (12:57). The funeral of a fallen soldier (13:37). US soldiers patrolling land and sea (13:55). A chief of the Vietnamese army express his sorrow for the Vietnamese people (14:45). Lieutenant Colonel John Keeler explains some challenges Vietnam faces (15:22). Soldiers portray how they assists in developing Vietnam by budling roads and bridges (15:50). The newly-built port at Cam Ranh Bay (16:36). A newspaper and television network started by the US army (16:59). Lieutenant Colonel John Keeler continues speaking on the challenges faced by the Vietnamese (17:22). A school built to teach students skills to solve Vietnam’s administrative and governmental inadequacies (18:01). John Wayne explains more plans in Vietnam’s nation building (18:48). US Captain Pete Dawkins continues (19:44). The faces of the rural locals in the countryside (20:04). Soldiers express the importance of collaborating with the locals (20:36). Locals and soldiers work together in a project called ‘Civic Action’ (21:29). US Army sailors teach locals children carpentry (21:52). A division group is instructed on an upcoming attack to seal off a village (22:33). Young soldiers comment on the progress achieved by their efforts (23:31). Soldiers comforting crying babies and wounded locals (24:42). Mike Rolla from the United States Agency of Development in Vietnam explains non-military assistance (25:12). A social center built by the West Germans in Saigon (25:57). An Iranian surgical team (26:13). U.S. Captain Pete and John Wayne speaks of the collaboration with the Vietnamese (26:36). A center to train locals in skills (27:17). Training center advisor U.S. Captain Gene Salvaggio explains the various kinds of training for the Vietnamese revolutionary fighters (27:48). Footage showing how the cadres assist the army in the field and in the nation building-efforts after completing their training (29:30). John Wayne concludes the film with honoring the efforts of US armed forces, the Vietnamese Army, and the revolutionary cadres to picturesque views of Vietnam (35:12).

The film was filmed by SFC James R. Downey and SFC John F. Shea, Jr. with sound by SP5 Freddie R. Groen and SP5 Mick Dahl. Selected scenes were provided by Dr. Bob Pierce and World Vision, Inc., and drawings shown were by famed sketch artist Howard Brodie.

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com