The Pacific

In the aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Marine Sgt. John Basilone prepares to ship out; budding journalist Robert Leckie enlists in the Marine Corps; Sidney Phillips leaves for boot camp; the 1st Marine Division lands on Guadalcanal.

Basilone and the 7th Marines arrive on Guadalcanal to reinforce the 1st Marine Division as they defend a crucial airstrip; Basilone suffers a personal loss; the exhausted members of the 1st Marine Division are evacuated.

After the four-month ordeal on Guadalcanal, Leckie, Basilone and thousands of their comrades land in Melbourne; Leckie becomes involved with an Australian woman; Basilone is asked to return home to help sell U.S. war bonds.

Sledge trains for combat at Camp Elliott; Leckie is hospitalized after displaying physical and mental effects of combat.

Basilone's celebrity grows on the war bonds tour; Sledge gets his first taste of combat; the 1st Marine Division meets Japanese resistance.

The Marines attempt to capture the Peleliu airfield; Leckie is evacuated from the island; Sledge learns what is required to fight another day.