Basilone's fame grows on his war bond tour with starlet Virginia Grey; veteran soldiers warn Sledge that war isn't glamorous and he soon sees his first fighting, as the Japanese inflict heavy casualties.
As the Marines prepare to attack the airfield they grow dehydrated and suffer severe casualties while crossing the airfield; Leckie is evacuated; Sledge confesses his fear and begins writing about his experience.
Sledge has a moment of respite before getting entangled in a vicious battle. A loss rattles their company and Sledge almost crosses an ethical line. Basilone grows increasingly unhappy on his war bond tour.
